Mycoplasma tracheobuteonis sp. nov., a Novel Respiratory Mycoplasma Species from the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Mycoplasmas are frequently recovered from the upper respiratory tract of birds of prey, yet many isolates remain taxonomically unresolved. In the present study, a collection of ten previously unclassified Mycoplasma strains, predominantly isolated from the trachea of the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), was subjected to comprehensive phenotypic and genomic characterization. All strains grew well in modified Hayflick’s medium and formed colonies with the characteristic fried-egg appearance. None of the strains produced acid from glucose or hydrolyzed arginine or urea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene, 16S–23S intergenic spacer, and partial rpoB gene sequences placed the strains within the Mycoplasma synoviae cluster, in close proximity to five recently described Mycoplasma species associated with raptors such as eagles and kites. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry enabled the clear discrimination of the investigated strains from closely related taxa. Whole-genome comparisons, together with phylogenomic analyses, supported the assignment of these strains to a novel species within the genus Mycoplasma. The name Mycoplasma tracheobuteonis sp. nov. is proposed, corresponding to its preference for colonizing the upper respiratory tract of the common buzzard, with strain 48589BT (=DSM 115882T = NCTC 14927T) designated as the type strain.