Gastrointestinal Bacteria of Certain Antarctic Birds and Mammals

• Main Authors: Soucek, Z., Mushin, Rose
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1970
• Subjects: Ecology and Taxonomy; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC376989; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5498604

An investigation was carried out of the aerobic gram-negative intestinal flora of 158 penguins, 30 skuas, and 66 seals from the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic zones and Phillip Island. Among penguins and seals, 17% and 11%, respectively, were devoid of aerobic enteric organisms, but microscopic examination showed the presence of other bacteria. The coliforms outnumbered the paracolons and nonlactosefermenting bacteria; irregular coliform types and Escherichia coli were predominant. The present study indicated the effect of diet on the composition of the intestinal flora of the birds and mammals examined.