Discovery of three cycloviruses in fecal samples from silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) in Arizona (USA)

Abstract

Bats harbour a diverse array of viruses, some of which are zoonotic, and are one of the most speciose groups of mammals on earth. As part of an ongoing bat-associated viral diversity research project, we identified three cycloviruses (family Circoviridae ) in fecal samples of silver-haired bats ( Lasionycteris noctivagans ) caught in Cave Creek Canyon of Arizona (USA). Two of the three identified genomes represent two new species in the genus Cyclovirus . Cycloviruses have been found in a wide range of environments and hosts; however, little is known about their biology. These new genomes of cycloviruses are the first from silver-haired bats, adding to the broader knowledge of cyclovirus diversity. With continuing studies, it is likely that additional viruses of the family Circoviridae will be identified in Arizona bat populations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00705-022-05574-9.

Viruses in saliva from sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in Republic of Congo and Uganda

“…Based on ICTV guidelines for cyclovirus species demarcation (<80% genome-wide NT identity; [ 73 ]), ChimpACyV2 represents a novel species. NAPTV-17 shares 91% genome-wide NT identity with a mongoose associated cyclovirus (MZ382573; [ 75 ]), a novel species that has not yet been formally classified [ 76 ], making NAPTV-17 a member of this putative species [ 73 ]. A single unclassified CRESS DNA virus (TCPTV-13) was identified at TCRC ( S2 Fig and S2 and S5 Tables).…”

“…Epstein-Barr virus-like pathology has not been documented for chimpanzees infected with PtroLCV-1. The true hosts of CRESS DNA viruses, including cycloviruses [ 73 , 75 , 76 , 94 ], and picobirnaviruses [ 95 , 96 ] are unknown, although arthropods and bacteria or fungi, respectively, are suspected. Thus, these viruses, neither of which are considered pathogenic, may actually represent dietary or environmental contaminants and not viral infection in chimpanzees [ 76 , 95 , 97 , 98 ].…”