OCCURRENCE OF PASTEURELLACEAE BACTERIA IN THE ORAL CAVITY OF SELECTED MARSUPIAL SPECIES

Eighty-two Pasteurellaceae isolates from marsupials characterized by phylogenetic analysis of rpoB gene sequences formed five distinct groups. Twenty-one strains from long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus apicalis), spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus), and eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) made up group 1, which classified with Frederiksenia canicola. Group 2, 15 strains from Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii), common wombats (Vombatus ursinus), common ring-tailed possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), and eastern quolls, grouped with Pasteurella multocida. Three strains from koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) formed group 3 and clustered with Lonepinella koalarum. Group 4, 13 common wombat strains only distantly related to other Pasteurellaceae, probably represent a new genus. Finally, 29 strains from Tasmanian devils, spotted-tailed quolls and eastern quolls formed group 5 and clustered with 15 previously described Tasmanian devil strains, belonging to a yet unnamed Pasteurellaceae taxon. The results strongly indicate that Pasteurellaceae bacteria represent a part of the normal oral microbiota in marsupials.