ISOLATION OF MYCOPLASMAS FROM FANTAIL PIGEONS

Isolation of mycoplasmas from the oropharynxes of 60 fantails reared u nder natural conditions at different zoological parks in Miyazaki pref ecture was carried out. Mycoplasma columbinum, M. columborale and M. c olumbinasale were isolated from 28 (46.7%), 22 (36.7%), and 1 (1.7%) o f 60 oropharynxes, respectively, but no Mycoplasma was isolated from 5 cloacas tested. Ureaplasma was not isolated from any of the 28 oropha rynxes or 5 cloacas examined. We report that 41 (68.3%) of 60 fantails had one or two species of mycoplasmas in their oropharynxes, and make the first confirmation of M. columbinasale inhabiting a Japanese pige on.