Mycoplasma spp. in Passeriformes in Germany

Area of Science:

• Avian health
• Microbiology
• Evolutionary biology

Background:

• The role of mycoplasmas in free-ranging bird species remains largely unknown.
• A hypothesis suggests an evolutionary link between mycoplasma prevalence and vocalization's influence on avian reproduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and clinical relevance of mycoplasmas in passerine birds.
• To gather data that could support or refute the hypothesis linking mycoplasma prevalence and vocalization's role in reproduction.

Main Methods:

• Choanal swabs were collected from 221 passerines across 34 species presented to a veterinary clinic.
• Mycoplasma detection was performed using culture and genus-specific PCR.
• Positive samples were identified via 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region sequencing.

Main Results:

• Mycoplasmas were detected in 12% of the sampled passerines, predominantly in the Sturnidae, Muscicapidae, Turdidae, and Hirundinidae families.
• Mycoplasma sturni was the most frequently identified species, appearing not to be an obligate pathogen.
• Other detected species included Mycoplasma columborale, Mycoplasma moatsii, and two unidentified Mycoplasma species.

Conclusions:

• Mycoplasmas exhibit intermediate prevalence in certain passerine families.
• The findings align with the hypothesis of an evolutionary link between mycoplasma prevalence and vocalization's reproductive influence, but further research is required for confirmation.
• Additional studies on mycoplasma prevalence in wild passerine populations are necessary.