Characterization and Taxonomic Description of Five Mycoplasma Serovars (Serotypes) of Avian Origin and Their Elevation to Species Rank and Further Evaluation of the Taxonomic Status of Mycoplasma synoviae

Characterization of the reference strains of avian mycoplasma serovars (serotypes) C, D, F, I, and L, namely CKK (= ATCC 33553 = NCTC 10187), DD (= ATCC 33550 = NCTC 10183), WR1 (= ATCC 33551 = NCTC 10186), 695 (= ATCC 33552 = NCTC 10185), and 694 (= ATCC 33549 = NCTC 10184), respectively, indicates that the serovars are distinct species, and the following names have been suggested for them: M. pullorum, M. gallinaceum, M. gallopavonis, M. iowae, and M. columbinasale, respectively. The above-mentioned reference strains are designated as the type strains of their respective species. Further biochemical and serological examination of the properties of Mycoplasma synoviae also confirm this to be a separate species.