Table 1.

Oligonucleotide primer sets used for real-time PCR assay

Target group	Sequence (5′-3′)	Reference
Methanogenic archaea	F: GGTGGTGTMGGATTCACACARTAYGCWACAGC R: TTCATTGCRTAGTTWGGRTAGTT	Luton et al. (2002)
Ciliate-associated methanogens	F: AGGAATTGGCGGGGGAGCAC R: TGTGTGCAAGGAGCAGGGAC	Medlin et al. (1988)
Methanogens	F: TTCGGTGGATCDCARAGRGC R: GBARGTCGWAWCCGTAGAATCC	Denman et al. (2007)

PCR, polymerase chain reaction; F, forward; R, reverse.