THE OCCURRENCE OF MYCOPLASMAS IN SELECTED WILD NORTH-AMERICAN WATERFOWL

We determined the prevalence of mycoplasma infection in breeding malla rd (Anas platyrhynchos) and canvasback (Aythya valisineria) hens and t heir broods from the central United States (1988 to 1990); and winteri ng American black duck (Anas rubripes) and mallard hens from the easte rn United States (1990 to 1993). Mycoplasmas were isolated by culturin g tracheal swabs from 656 live birds and tissue samples from 112 dead waterfowl. Nine (18%) of 51 mycoplasma isolates were identified as Myc oplasma anatis; M. anatis was recovered from four mallards, a black du ck, and a gadwall (Anas strepera) duckling. Nineteen (37%) of 51 mycop lasma isolates were identified as Mycoplasma cloacale; these isolates were obtained from mallard, canvasback, and black duck adults, and fro m a mallard duckling. Additional unspeciated mycoplasmas were isolated from mallards, black ducks, and one canvasback.