Nasal and cloacal bacteria in free-ranging desert tortoises from the western United States

V M Dickinson; T Duck; C R Schwalbe; J L Jarchow; M H Trueblood

doi:10.7589/0090-3558-37.2.252

Nasal and cloacal bacteria in free-ranging desert tortoises from the western United States

J Wildl Dis. 2001 Apr;37(2):252-7. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-37.2.252.

Authors

V M Dickinson¹, T Duck, C R Schwalbe, J L Jarchow, M H Trueblood

Affiliation

¹ Research Branch, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix 85023, USA. vmontgomeryaz@yahoo.com

PMID: 11310875
DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-37.2.252

Abstract

Aerobic bacteria were collected from three free-ranging desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations in the eastern Mojave Desert (Arizona, Utah; USA) from 1989 to 1993, and from two free-ranging populations in the central Sonoran Desert (Arizona, USA) from 1990 to 1994. Six species of nasal bacteria and 18 species of cloacal bacteria were identified. At least one potential pathogen was found in the nasal cavity (Pasteurella testudinis), and at least two potential pathogens in the cloaca (Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp.).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Cloaca / microbiology*
Female
Male
Nasal Cavity / microbiology*
Seasons
Turtles / microbiology*
United States