MYCOPLASMA CROCODYLI SP-NOV, A NEW SPECIES FROM CROCODILES

Organisms with the typical characteristics of mycoplasmas were isolate d from joints and lungs of crocodiles. The results of growth inhibitio n tests and immunobinding assays showed that the 24 mycoplasma strains isolated were identical and distinct from previously described Mycopl asma, Entomoplasma, Mesoplasma, and Acholeplasma species. These organi sms represent a new species, for which the name Mycoplasma crocodyli i s proposed. M. crocodyli ferments glucose and maltose, does not produc e films and spots, does not hydrolyze arginine, esculin, and urea, red uces tetrazolium chloride, and possesses phosphatase activity. It lyse s and adsorbs bovine, ovine, and rabbit erythrocytes. Cholesterol or s erum is required for growth. The optimum growth temperature is 37 degr ees C. The GS-C content of the DNA is 27.6 mol%. This organism causes exudative polyarthritis in crocodiles. The type strain of M. crocodyli is strain MP145 (= ATCC 51981).