Occurrence and numbers of bacteriophages and bacterial indicators in faeces of yellow-legged seagull (Larus cachinnans)

Faeces from feral populations of yellow-legged seagulls from the northern c oastal area of Catalonia (North-eastern Spain) contained variable amounts o f faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, somatic coliphages, F-specific bac teriophages and Bacteroides fragilis bacteriophages. Occurrence and numbers of bacterial indicators and bacteriophages in the faeces of yellow-legged seagulls are in the ranges described in the faeces of different animals. Th e ratios between numbers of bacterial indicators and numbers of bacteriopha ges are much higher in faeces of seagulls than in treated or raw sewage con tributed by out-falls of the same area.