Biology subjects

Debat, H. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Debat, H. J..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Enhanced Viral Detection in Grapevine via Exome Depletion and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is highly prone to viral infections that pose a significant threat to global viticulture sustainability. Traditional detection methods, such as PCR and ELISA, are limited to well-known pathogens, highlighting the need for more comprehensive and unbiased approaches. Here, we present the development of a cost-effective viral enrichment system adapted to next-generation sequencing (NGS) for the detection and characterization of grapevine viruses. Our strategy leverages hybridization-based capture using biotin-labeled cDNA probes hereafter named "Chloro-Zero") designed to selectively deplete highly abundant host transcripts particularly plastid and ribosomal RNAs while preserving viral RNA. Probe design was informed by transcriptomic analysis of V. vinifera. We evaluated different subtractor-to-target RNA ratios, observing a consistent reduction of host RNA and a moderate enrichment of viral sequences. NGS analysis revealed improved recovery of low-abundance viral transcripts, with coverage levels comparable, to a certain extent, to those obtained using previously available commercial kits, but at a significantly lower cost. Although variability in depletion efficiency was observed, the results demonstrate the potential of this scalable and locally adaptable protocol for virome profiling in grapevines. By addressing key limitations of current depletion methods, our approach facilitates the detection of emerging viral threats and supports the development of more effective certification programs and sustainable management practices. Ongoing improvements in probe design and bioinformatic workflows are expected to enhance performance, providing a robust platform for broader applications in plant virology.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Novel RNA viruses reveal a complex mycovirome in the smut fungus Thecaphora thlaspeos

Mycoviruses are widespread in fungi, yet their diversity and host associations remain poorly explored in many lineages, including smut fungi. Here, we report the discovery of the first eight novel RNA viruses infecting the Brassicaceae-associated smut fungus Thecaphora thlaspeos. Using transcriptomic datasets derived from fungal mycelium and host plant controls, we identified dsRNA viral genomes supported by consistent read abundance, high genome coverage, and codon usage patterns closely matching those of the fungal host. All genomes are monosegmented and bicistronic, encoding capsid protein and polymerase genes in compact arrangements. Genome annotation and phylogenetic analyses based on the predicted RNA polymerase classified these viruses within the genera Totivirus and Eimeriavirus. Comparative analyses across fungal strains revealed intraspecific variation in virome composition, suggesting that host genetic background may influence viral community structure and that multiple dsRNA infection is common. Together, these findings expand the known diversity of mycoviruses in Ustilaginomycotina and identify T. thlaspeos as a host of a complex RNA virome. This work establishes a foundation for future studies on virus prevalence, transmission, and potential impacts on fungal biology and plant pathogenesis.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Expanding the known nucleorhabdovirus world: the final chapter in a trilogy exploring the hidden diversity of plant-associated rhabdoviruses

Nucleorhabdoviruses, classified into four distinct genera within the family Rhabdoviridae (subfamily Betarhabdovirinae), are plant-infecting viruses, characterized by nucleus-associated, enveloped, bacilliform virions. Nucleorhabdoviruses possess an unsegmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome (ca. 12-15.2 kb) that encodes six to eight proteins. Here, by exploring large publicly available metatranscriptomics datasets, we report the identification and genomic characterization of 47 novel viruses with genetic and evolutionary hallmarks of nucleorhabdoviruses. These viruses are associated with 45 distinct host plant species and were previously hidden in public database. Our findings significantly broaden the known host range of nucleorhabdoviruses, including the first nucleorhabdovirus associated with ferns and the first gammanucleorhabdoviruses linked to dicot hosts. Genetic divergence and evolutionary analyses suggest that all these novel viruses likely represent members of novel species. Phylogenetic reconstruction indicates that ten novel viruses are related to alphanucleorhabdoviruses, 25 to betanucleorhabdoviruses, eight to deltanucleorhabdoviruses and four to gammanucleorhabdoviruses. This study constitutes the final chapter in a trilogy chronicling a data mining expedition into the cryptic diversity of plant-associated rhabdoviruses, a journey that began with varicosaviruses and continued with cytorhabdoviruses. These new findings yield the most comprehensive phylogeny of nucleorhabdoviruses to date, significantly expanding our genomic understanding and illuminating the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary dynamics of this virus group. Further, this work underscores the value of large-scale sequence data mining in advancing our understanding of the hidden world of plant rhabdoviruses.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Grapevine holobiome metatranscriptomics provides a glimpse into the wood mycovirome

Given the agronomic and economic importance of viticulture, grapevine has been shown to host the largest number of viruses among plants to date. Nevertheless, studies assessing the grapevine-associated holobiont remain scarce. In this context, the viral component of this ecological niche is understudied. In this work, through metatranscriptomics of wood samples from individual grapevines that were either healthy or exhibited symptoms of grapevine trunk disease from Argentina, we provide a glimpse into the wood linked virome. Virus discovery from high-throughput sequencing data resulted in the identification and reconstruction of 123 novel virus sequences. Genetic and phylogenetic insights suggest that these sequences correspond to 78 novel virus species. Structural and functional annotation of the viruses showed a great diversity of genomic organizations, with the presence of dsRNA, ssRNA(-) and ssRNA(+) viruses belonging to more than 15 virus families. A significant number of viruses (66%) were linked to the recently accepted families Botourmiaviridae, Narnaviridae and Mitoviridae. Some highly divergent viruses resembling narnaviruses, ophioviruses, deltaflexiviruses and bunyaviruses could be accommodated within new genera or even new virus families. The differential detection and variable RNA levels across samples suggest complex dynamics and prevalence patterns of those novel viruses. The viral profile described here provides a first insight into the multifaceted South American grapevine wood holobiont mycovirome.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

RNA virus discovery sheds light on the virome of a major vineyard pest, the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana)

The European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) poses a significant threat to vineyards worldwide, causing extensive economic losses. While its ecological interactions and control strategies are well-studied, its associated viral diversity remains unexplored. Here, we employ high-throughput sequencing data mining to comprehensively characterize the L. botrana virome, revealing novel and diverse RNA viruses. We characterized four new viral members belonging to distinct families, with evolutionary cues of cypoviruses (Reoviridae), sobemo-like viruses (Solemoviridae), phasmaviruses (Phasmaviridae), and carmotetraviruses (Carmotetraviridae). Phylogenetic analysis of the cypoviruses places them within the genus in affinity with other moth viruses, suggesting a potential ecological roles and host range within Lepidoptera. The bi-segmented and highly divergent sobemo-like virus showed a distinctive evolutionary trajectory of its encoding proteins at the periphery of recently reported invertebrate Sobelivirales. Notably, the presence of a novel phasmavirus, typically associated with mosquitoes, expands the known host range and diversity of this family to moths. Furthermore, the identification of a carmotetravirus branching in the same cluster of providence virus, a lepidopteran virus which replicates in plants, raises questions regarding the biological significance of this moth virus and grapevine. We further explored viral sequences in several publicly available transcriptomic datasets of the moth, indicating potential prevalence across distinct conditions. These results underscore the existence of a complex virome within L. botrana and lays the foundation for future studies investigating the ecological roles, evolutionary dynamics, and potential biocontrol applications of these viruses on the L. botrana--vineyard ecosystem.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Insights into the RNA virome of the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis, a major emergent threat of Maize in Latin America

The maize leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) is a significant threat to maize crops in tropical and subtropical regions, causing extensive economic losses. While its ecological interactions and control strategies are well-studied, its associated viral diversity remains largely unexplored. Here, we employ high-throughput sequencing data mining to comprehensively characterize the D. maidis RNA virome, revealing novel and diverse RNA viruses. We characterized six new viral members belonging to distinct families, with evolutionary cues of beny-like viruses (Benyviridae), bunya-like viruses (Bunyaviridae) iflaviruses (Iflaviridae), orthomyxo-like viruses (Orthomyxoviridae), and rhabdoviruses (Rhabdoviridae). Phylogenetic analysis of the iflaviruses places them within the genus Iflavirus in affinity with other leafhoppers-associated iflaviruses. The five-segmented and highly divergent orthomyxo-like virus showed a relationship with other insect associated orthomyxo-like viruses. The rhabdo virus is related with a leafhopper associated rhabdo-like virus. Furthermore, the beny-like virus belonged to a cluster of insect-associated beny-like viruses, while the bi-segmented bunya-like virus was related with other bi-segmented insect-associated bunya-like viruses. These results highlight the existence of a complex virome linked to D. maidis and paves the way for future studies investigating the ecological roles, evolutionary dynamics, and potential biocontrol applications of these viruses on the D. maidis--maize pathosystem.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

First Draft Genome of the Corn Leafhopper Dalbulus maidis: A Transparent, Open, and Updateable Resource in the Context of Agricultural Emergence

The corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, is a significant pest affecting maize crops, causing extensive economic losses and posing a threat to food security. This study presents the first draft genome of D. maidis as part of a comprehensive initiative to generate critical information for effective pest management and long-term control strategies. The genome sequencing is being conducted using a hybrid approach that integrates Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and Illumina platforms, ensuring high accuracy and depth. The initial genome assembly comprises approximately 580 Mb, with an N50 of 50,453 bp, indicating a draft assembly quality. The genomes completeness, evaluated using BUSCO, stands at 68.6%, underscoring the thoroughness of the assembly. This first draft genome is designed to be a "living genome," subject to continuous updates as new sequencing data become available. By providing an open and updatable genomic resource, this study aims to facilitate ongoing research and foster collaborative efforts in developing innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of D. maidis on maize cultivation.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2023

Novel tri-segmented rhabdoviruses: A data mining expedition unveils the cryptic diversity of cytorhabdoviruses

Cytorhabdoviruses (genus Cytorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae) are plant-infecting viruses with enveloped, bacilliform virions. Established members of the genus Cytorhabdovirus have unsegmented single-stranded negative-sense RNA genomes (ca. 10-16 kb) which encode four to ten proteins. Here, by exploring large publicly available metatranscriptomics datasets, we report the identification and genomic characterization of 93 novel viruses with genetic and evolutionary cues of cytorhabdoviruses. Strikingly, five unprecedented cytorhabdoviruses with tri-segmented genomes were also identified. This finding represents the first tri-segmented viruses in the family Rhabdoviridae. Interestingly, the nucleocapsid and polymerase were the only typical rhabdoviral proteins encoded by those tri-segmented viruses, whereas in three of them, a protein similar to the emaravirus (family Fimoviridae) silencing suppressor was found, while the other predicted proteins had no matches in any sequence databases. Genetic distance and evolutionary insights suggest that all these novel viruses may represent members of novel species. Phylogenetic analyses, of both novel and previously classified plant rhabdoviruses, provide compelling support for the division of the genus Cytorhabdovirus into three distinct genera. This proposed reclassification not only enhances our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics within this group of plant rhabdoviruses but also illuminates the remarkable genomic diversity they encompass. This study not only represents a significant expansion of genomics of cytorhabdoviruses that will enable future research on the evolutionary peculiarity of this genus, but also shows the plasticity in the rhabdovirus genome organization with the discovery of tri-segmented members with a unique evolutionary trajectory.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Two novel flavi-like viruses shed light on the plant infecting koshuviruses

The family Flaviviridae is composed of viruses with a positive sense single-stranded RNA genome and includes viruses that are important veterinary and human pathogens. Most members of the family are arthropod and vertebrate-infecting viruses but more recently flavi-like divergent viruses have been identified in marine invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. The striking discovery of gentian Kobu-sho-associated virus (GKaV) expanded the host range of flaviviruses to plants, which was complemented by a recently reported flavi-like virus in carrot, suggesting they could be grouped in a proposed Koshovirus genus. Here, we report the identification in transcriptomic datasets and characterization of two novel RNA viruses from the flowering plants Coptis teeta and Sonchus asper, which have genetic and evolutionary affinity to koshoviruses. These two new viruses are members of novel species which were dubbed Coptis flavi-like virus 1 (CopV1) and Sonchus flavi-like virus 1 (SonV1) and with a viral monopartite RNA of ca. 24 kb, likely have the longest genomes among plant-associated RNA viruses yet. Structural and functional annotations of the polyproteins of all koshoviruses resulted in the detection not only of the expected helicase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, but also several additional divergent domains such as AlkB oxigenase, Trypsin-like serine protease, methyltransferase, and envelope E1 flavi-like domains. Phylogenetic analysis groups in a monophyletic clade CopV1, SonV1, GKaV and the carrot flavi-like virus robustly supporting the recently proposed genus Koshovirus of plant infecting flavi-like viruses.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Expanding the repertoire of the plant infecting ophioviruses

Ophioviruses (genus Ophiovirus, family Aspiviridae) are plant-infecting viruses with non-enveloped, filamentous, naked nucleocapsid virions. Members of genus Ophiovirus have a segmented single-stranded negative-sense RNA genome (ca. 11.3-12.5 kb), encompassing three or four linear segments. These segments encode in total four to seven proteins in sense and antisense orientation, both in the viral and complementary strands. The genus Ophiovirus includes seven species with viruses infecting both monocots and dicots, mostly trees, shrubs and some ornamentals. From a genomic perspective, as of today, there are complete genomes available for only four species. Here, by exploring large metatranscriptomics publicly available datasets, we report the identification and molecular characterization of 33 novel viruses with genetic and evolutionary cues of ophioviruses. Genetic distance and evolutionary insights suggest that all the detected viruses could correspond to members of novel species, which expand ca. 4.5-fold the current diversity of ophioviruses. The detected viruses increase the tentative host range of ophioviruses for the first time to mosses, liverwort and ferns. In addition, viruses were linked to several Asteraceae, Orchidaceae and Poaceae crops/ornamental plants. Phylogenetic analyses showed a novel clade of mosses, liverworts and fern ophioviruses, characterized by long branches suggesting still plenty unsampled hidden diversity within the genus. This study represents a significant expansion of genomics of ophioviruses, opening the grounds to future works on the molecular and evolutionary peculiarity of this virus genus.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Unlocking the hidden genetic diversity of varicosaviruses, the neglected plant rhabdoviruses

The genus Varicosavirus is one of six genera of plant-infecting rhabdoviruses. Varicosaviruses have nonenveloped flexuous rod-shaped virions and a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA genome. A distinguishing feature of varicosaviruses, that is shared with dichorhaviruses, is a bi-segmented genome. Before 2017, a sole varicosavirus was known and characterized, then two more varicosaviruses were identified through high-throughput sequencing in 2017 and 2018. More recently, the number of known varicosaviruses has substantially increased in concert with the extensive use of high-throughput sequencing platforms and data mining approaches. The novel varicosaviruses revealed not only sequence diversity but also plasticity in terms of genome architecture, including a virus with a tentatively unsegmented genome. Here, we report the discovery of 45 novel varicosavirus genomes, which were identified in publicly available metatranscriptomic data. Identification, assembly, and curation of raw Sequence Read Archive reads resulted in 39 viral genome sequences with full-length coding regions and 6 with nearly complete coding regions. Highlights of the obtained sequences include eight varicosaviruses with unsegmented genomes, linked to a phylogenetic clade associated with gymnosperms. These findings resulted in the most complete phylogeny of varicosaviruses to date and shed new light on the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary landscape of this group of plant rhabdoviruses. Thus, the extensive use of sequence data mining for virus discovery has allowed unlocking of the hidden genetic diversity of varicosaviruses, the largely neglected plant rhabdoviruses.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

An unwanted association: the threat to papaya crops by a novel potexvirus in northwest Argentina

An emerging virus isolated from papaya (Carica papaya) crops in northwestern (NW) Argentina was sequenced and characterized using next-generation sequencing. The resulting genome is 6,667-nt long and encodes five open reading frames in an arrangement typical of other potexviruses. This virus appears to be a novel member within the genus Potexvirus. Blast analysis of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and coat protein (CP) genes showed the highest amino acid sequence identity (67% and 71%, respectively) with pitaya virus X. Based on nucleotide sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis, the name papaya virus X is proposed for this newly characterized potexvirus that was mechanically transmitted to papaya plants causing chlorotic patches and severe mosaic symptoms. RT-PCR based detection of papaya virus X (PapVX) revealed that it is widely present in papaya crops from NW Argentina. The prevalence of PapVX, which seems to be restricted to the NW region of Argentina, and the fact that it has only been detected in this region could be associated with a recent emergence or adaptation of this virus to papaya in NW Argentina.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Integrative assessment of the transcriptome and virome of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae.

Dermanyssus gallinae is a blood-feeding mite that parasitises on wild birds and farmed poultry. The D. gallinae mite has a short life cycle of fewer than two weeks from the egg to an egg-laying female. The remarkably swift processing of blood, together with the capacity to blood-feed in most developmental stages, makes this mite a highly debilitating pest. We have constructed developmental stage-specific transcriptomes, through Illumina RNA-seq, to mine the repertoire of protein-encoding mRNA transcripts, products of which participate in key processes that ensure the success of blood digestion, rapid ontogeny, and immunity. As a result of high reproductive capacity, the prevalence of D. gallinae in egg-producing poultry farms globally causes significant economic losses. Acaricides that are used to limit the reproduction of D. gallinae mites target cys-loop ion channels, which are widely shared across the phylogeny of invertebrates. To catalogue a comprehensive list of potential invertebrate-specific ion channels, we have constructed and analysed an additional RNA-seq library of D. gallinae micro-dissected midguts, a tissue with direct exposure to host blood and potential anti-parasitics. We phylogenetically defined groups of cys-loop proteins and probed their sensitivity to selected acaricides. Ultimately, we have catalogued all assembled transcripts and their expression values in a hyper-linked excel sheet with available sequences of individual contigs. The transcriptomic data were complemented by mass-spectrometry (MS)-based metabolite identification and by viability assays using selected inhibitors applied either by microinjection or through artificial membrane feeding. Additionally, we have described the RNA-virome of D. gallinae and identified a novel virus dubbed Red Mite Quaranjavirus 1.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

A South American mouse morbillivirus sheds light into a clade of rodent-borne morbilliviruses

Morbilliviruses are negative sense single stranded monosegmented RNA viruses in the family Paramyxoviridae (order Mononegavirales). Morbilliviruses infect diverse mammals including humans, dogs, cats, small ruminants, seals, and cetaceans, which serve as natural hosts. Here, I report the identification and characterization of novel viruses associated with South American long-haired and olive field mice. The divergent viruses dubbed Raton olivaceo morbillivirus (RoMV) detected in renal samples from mice collected from Chile and Argentina are characterized by an unusually large genome including long intergenic regions and the presence of an accessory protein between the F and H genes redounding in a genome architecture consisting in 3-N-P/V/C-M-F-hp-H-L-5. Structural and functional annotation, genetic distance and evolutionary insights suggest that RoMV is a member of a novel species within genus Morbillivirus tentatively dubbed South American mouse morbillivirus. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that this mouse morbillivirus is closely related to, and clusters into a monophyletic group of novel rodent-borne morbilliviruses. This subclade of divergent viruses expands the host range, redefines the genomic organization and provides insights on the evolutionary history of genus Morbillivirus.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Evaluating features of scientific conferences: A call for improvements

Scientific conferences provide valuable opportunities for researchers across career stages and disciplines to present their latest work, and to network with their peers. These meetings have largely been held in-person with rapid proliferation in the number of meetings and attendees. Yet the format and quality of their organization lag behind what is possible and as a result, the current experience of attending conferences in many disciplines remains unchanged in many respects. We created a database of 270 national and international academic conferences held in-person during 2018-2019 in various disciplines and examined them for their features, costs and impact on the community. We found that many meetings could still be improved significantly in terms of diversity, inclusivity, promoting early career researcher (ECR) networking and career development, venue accessibility, and importantly, reducing the meetings carbon footprint. It is important to accelerate and mandate efforts to improve conferences so that researchers in all disciplines, in particular ECRs, consistently benefit from scientific gatherings, for years to come. We discuss a combination of approaches and recommendations to make conferences more modern, effective, equitable and intellectually productive for the research community and environmentally sustainable for our planet. "They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." -- Andy Warhol

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2020

Molecular characterization of a novel cytorhabdovirus with a unique genomic organization infecting yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in Argentina

The genome of a novel rhabdovirus was detected in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.). The newly identified virus, tentatively named yerba mate virus A (YmVA), has a genome of 14,961 nucleotides. Notably, eight open reading frames were identified in the antigenomic orientation of the negative-sense, single-stranded viral RNA, including two novel accessory genes, in the order 3-N-P-3-4-M-G-L-8-5. Sequence identity of the encoded proteins as well as phylogenetic analysis suggest that YmVA is a new member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae. YmVA unique genomic organization and phylogenetic relationships indicate that this virus likely represents a distinct evolutionary lineage within the cytorhabdoviruses.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Bean yellow mosaic virus infecting broad bean in the green belt of Cordoba, Argentina

Broad bean (Vicia faba L) is the fourth most important pulse crop in the world. In Argentina, broad bean production was of 1,841 hectares and 16,500 tons during the 2017 growing season. Broad bean is commonly used in rotations; especially by farmers located in \"green belts\" that are peri-urban areas surrounding large cities that include horticultural family farms. Plants showing marked foliar mosaic symptoms, typical of viral infection, were collected during the 2015 growing season in the green belt of Cordoba city, Argentina. Preparations of symptomatic tissues were mechanically inoculated onto healthy broad bean plants in the greenhouse, which developed symptoms similar to those observed in the field. In addition, symptomatic samples were positive when tested by indirect ELISA with the anti-potyvirus group monoclonal antibody. Further, flexuous filamentous particles typical of potyviruses were observed under the electronic microscope on dip preparations. Lastly, total RNA was extracted from a symptomatic leaf and high-throughput sequenced, which allowed the assembly of a single virus sequence corresponding to a new highly divergent strain of Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV). Phylogenetic insights clustered this Argentinean broad bean isolate (BYMV-ARGbb) within group IX of BYMV. Given the economical importance of this virus and its associated disease, the results presented here are a pivotal first step oriented to explore the eventual incidence and epidemiological parameters of BYMV in broad bean in Argentina.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Complete genome sequence of a divergent strain of Tibetan frog hepatitis B virus associated to concave-eared torrent frog Odorrana tormota

The family Hepadnaviridae is characterized by partially dsDNA circular viruses of approximately 3.2 kb, which are reverse transcribed from RNA intermediates. Hepadnaviruses (HBVs) have a broad host range which includes humans (Hepatitis B virus), other mammals (genus Orthohepadnavirus), and birds (Avihepadnavirus). HBVs host specificity has been expanded by reports of new viruses infecting fish, amphibians, and reptiles. The tibetan frog hepatitis B virus (TFHBV) was recently discovered in Nanorana parkeri (Family Dicroglossidae) from Tibet. To increase understanding of hepadnavirus in amphibian host, we identified the full-length genome of a divergent strain TFHBV-Ot associated to the concave-eared torrent frog Odorrana tormota (Family Ranidae) from China by searching deep sequencing data. TFHBV-Ot shared the genomic organization and a 76.6% overall genome nucleotide identity to the prototype TFHBV associated to N. parkeri (TFHBV-Np). TFHBV-Ot amino acid pairwise identity with TFHBV-Np predicted gene products ranged between 63.9% and 77.9%. Multiple tissue/organ specific RNAseq datasets suggest a broad tropism of TFHBV including muscles, gonads and brains. In addition, we provide for the first time evidence of virus derived small RNA from an amphibian hepadnavirus, tentatively enriched in 19-20 nt species and cytidine as first base. The results presented here expand the genetic diversity and the host range of TFHBV to Ranidae frogs, and warrant investigation on hepadnaviral infection of amphibian brains.

microbiology↗