Mycoplasma oxoniensis, a new species isolated from Chinese hamster conjunctivas

Mycoplasmas which were distinct from Mycoplasma cricetuli were isolated from the conjunctivas of Chinese hamsters. Two clones, which were derived from a single colony and were obtained on separate occasions, were examined in detail for morphology, growth, and biochemical characteristics. These clones were indistinguishable from each other and had the following properties: guanine-plus-cytosine content of 29 mol%, requirement for sterol, facultatively anaerobic, and positive for glucose metabolism. They were serologically distinct from M. cricetuli and all 94 other previously described Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma spp. One of them, strain 128 (= NCTC 11712), is designated the type strain of a new species, Mycoplasma oxoniensis.