INTESTINAL FLORA OF SOME ANTARCTIC BIRDS AND MAMMALS

Abstract

Intestinal contents of 2 Adelie penguins, 1 skua gull and 2 Weddell seals were cultured aerobically and anaerobic ally. No aerobic growth was observed. Many bacteria could be observed microscopically and anaerobic growth was abundant. Cultures from 1 seal yielded Clostridium perfringens, type A, C. sordellii, C. difficile and an organism similar to C. setiense, and other unidentified bacteria. Previous reports of intestinal sterility were probably based on inadequate observations.