INVESTIGATIONS ON THE AEROBIC FLORA AND CLOSTRIDIUM-PERFRINGENS IN FECAL SPECIMENS FROM FREE-LIVING AND CAPTIVE CAPERCAILLIES (TETRAO-UROGALLUS L, 1758)

173 fecal specimens from captive Capercaillies and 92 fecal specimens from free-living Capercaillies were examined bacteriologically. With a ll specimens the bacteriological examination was limited to the aerobi c bacteria which can be isolated by the usual methods and to Clostridi um perfringens. The occurrence of fungi and parasites was examined as well. The present paper compares the results of these examinations. Th e identifiable fecal flora of free-living Capercaillies consists of fe w species with low colony numbers. In about half of the specimens Baci llus spp. are the main aerobic component while only a small number of the fecal specimens contain Escherichia coli and Streptococcus spp. No ne of the literature to date has stated that Streptococus spp. do not belong to the autochthonous fecal or intestinal flora of an avian spec ies. Clostridium perfringens cannot be isolated. The identifiable feca l flora of captive Capercaillies consists of many species with high co lony numbers. Almost all fecal specimens contain Escherichia coli and various Bacillus spp. Streptococcus spp. can be isolated frequently, o ther enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium perfringens are present. The r esults of the examinations for fungi and parasites only differ slightl y from those in wild birds.