Isolation of mycoplasmas from fantail pigeons

Isolation of mycoplasmas from the oropharynxes of 60 fantails reared under natural conditions at different zoological parks in Miyazaki prefecture was carried out. Mycoplasma columbinum, M. columborale and M. columbinasale were isolated from 28 (46.7%), 22 (36.7%), and 1 (1.7%) of 60 oropharynxes, respectively, but no Mycoplasma was isolated from 5 cloacas tested. Ureaplasma was not isolated from any of the 28 oropharynxes 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 pigeon.