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.