Diverse Small Circular DNA Viruses Identified in an American Wigeon Fecal Sample

Abstract

American wigeons (Mareca americana) are waterfowls that are widely distributed throughout North America. Research of viruses associated with American wigeons has been limited to orthomyxoviruses, coronaviruses, and circoviruses. To address this poor knowledge of viruses associated with American wigeons, we undertook a pilot study to identify small circular DNA viruses in a fecal sample collected in January 2021 in the city of Tempe, Arizona (USA). We identified 64 diverse circular DNA viral genomes using a viral metagenomic workflow biased towards circular DNA viruses. Of these, 45 belong to the phylum Cressdnaviricota based on their replication-associated protein sequence, with 3 from the Genomoviridae family and the remaining 42 which currently cannot be assigned to any established virus group. It is most likely that these 45 viruses infect various organisms that are associated with their diet or environment. The remaining 19 virus genomes are part of the Microviridae family and likely associated with the gut enterobacteria of American wigeons.

Genomes of cressdnaviruses, microviruses, a gyrovirus, and a caudovirus identified in the fecal samples of a mallard and double-crested cormorant

“…As part of our effort to identify viruses in migratory birds that concentrate around bodies of freshwater ( 2 , 3 ) in the southwestern USA (part of the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds), we collected two fecal samples, one from a mallard and one from a double-crested cormorant at Kiwanis Park, Tempe (AZ, USA) on 12 January 2021. The samples were collected in 2 mL tubes following a visual defecation observation.…”