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<p>The mycoplasma prevalence in free-ranging bird species tested for this pathogen so far exhibits a large range of 0% to 100%. The varying role of mycoplasmas as commensals in some species and pathogenic in others remain unclear. Among birds in which vocalization is crucial for reproductive success, usually no mycoplasmas are detected. Birds with a high mycoplasma prevalence, such as birds of prey and storks, do not rely on vocalization for reproduction. Corvids and barn swallows with an intermediate mycoplasma prevalence, use strategies besides vocalization for mating. It was hypothesized that the mycoplasma prevalence and the use of vocalization for reproduction are evolutionary related. As vocalization is an important factor for mate choice in starlings, we expected a low mycoplasma prevalence. In this study, we tested the above-described hypothesis and investigated the occurrence of mycoplasmas in starlings. We collected choanal swabs from 124 healthy free-ranging starling nestlings from 36 nests in 7 locations in Hesse, Germany. The choanal swabs were examined for mycoplasmas using culture and mycoplasma genus-specific polymerase chain reaction. If <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp. were detected, the species was identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA and 16S–23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer region. Mycoplasmas were detected in 67 of 124 (54.03%) starlings and in 23 of 36 (63.89%) nests. <i>Mycoplasma sturni</i> was identified in all positive samples. <i>Mycoplasma sturni</i> does not appear to be an obligatory pathogen for starlings and occurs with intermediate to high prevalence. The results suggest that, the above-mentioned hypothesis does not entirely explain the prevalence differences in bird species.</p>

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Occurrence of Mycoplasma spp. in clinically healthy free-ranging European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in Germany

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月12日

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  • Theresa Sophie Klostermann,
  • Franca Möller Palau-Ribes,
  • Michael Lierz

摘要

The mycoplasma prevalence in free-ranging bird species tested for this pathogen so far exhibits a large range of 0% to 100%. The varying role of mycoplasmas as commensals in some species and pathogenic in others remain unclear. Among birds in which vocalization is crucial for reproductive success, usually no mycoplasmas are detected. Birds with a high mycoplasma prevalence, such as birds of prey and storks, do not rely on vocalization for reproduction. Corvids and barn swallows with an intermediate mycoplasma prevalence, use strategies besides vocalization for mating. It was hypothesized that the mycoplasma prevalence and the use of vocalization for reproduction are evolutionary related. As vocalization is an important factor for mate choice in starlings, we expected a low mycoplasma prevalence. In this study, we tested the above-described hypothesis and investigated the occurrence of mycoplasmas in starlings. We collected choanal swabs from 124 healthy free-ranging starling nestlings from 36 nests in 7 locations in Hesse, Germany. The choanal swabs were examined for mycoplasmas using culture and mycoplasma genus-specific polymerase chain reaction. If Mycoplasma spp. were detected, the species was identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA and 16S–23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer region. Mycoplasmas were detected in 67 of 124 (54.03%) starlings and in 23 of 36 (63.89%) nests. Mycoplasma sturni was identified in all positive samples. Mycoplasma sturni does not appear to be an obligatory pathogen for starlings and occurs with intermediate to high prevalence. The results suggest that, the above-mentioned hypothesis does not entirely explain the prevalence differences in bird species.