No abstract

This is the first sequence-based characterization of Mal de Río Cuarto virus (MRCV), currently classified as a variant of Maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) and exclusively found in South America. We sequenced and analyzed genome segments S4 and S8. MRCV S4 coded for a putative 131.67 kDa protein while MRCV S8 coded for a putative 68.26 kDa protein containing an ATP/GTP-binding motif. The 5' and 3' ends of MRCV segments, were 5'AAGUUUUU3' and 5'CAGCUnnnGUC3', respectively. Prediction of secondary structure of both segments coding strands showed that terminal regions were able to form structures that are proposed to be replication and packaging signals. MRCV S4 showed identity to members of Fijivirus as well as to two other genera of the Reoviridae family. MRCV S8 revealed identity with Rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) S8, MRDV S7, Oat sterile dwarf virus (OSDV) S9 and Nilaparvata lugens reovirus (NLRV) S7. While MRDV and RBSDV segments are highly homologous between each other, MRCV identity levels with them was considerably lower. We discussed the evolutionary relationships of MRCV to other Reoviridae, and based on phylogenetic analysis we proposed that although MRCV is related to MRDV, it could be regarded as a new species of the Fijivirus genus.

The increasing use of massively parallel sequencing in the study of current and ancient human populations has enabled new approaches to bioanthropological and archaeological issues; however, its application to archaeological samples requires the use of technologies that are not easily accessible outside US and European research centers. To obtain an ancient mitogenome in Argentina, several institutions collaborated to apply massively parallel sequencing and bioinformatic methodologies on an enriched ancient DNA library of an individual from the Beagle Channel (dated 1504 ± 46 years BP), a region of particular interest for this line of inquiry. Phylogenetic reconstruction showed a close relationship with a Yamana from Navarino Island and an individual from Hoste Island (Chilean Antarctic Province): the three shared an ancestor who lived between 203 and 4,439 years ago. These three have mutations reported only for current and ancient individuals from the Beagle Channel, and their relationship with the rest of the D1g sub-haplogroups is unclear. The results obtained here are consistent with the reduction of mobility in the Fuegian archipelago around 4500 years BP that has been proposed based on archaeological evidence.