Prevalence of a vertically transmitted single-stranded DNA virus in spinybacked orbweavers (Gasteracantha cancriformis) from Florida, USA

Abstract

Spiders (Order Araneae, Class Arachnida) are an important group of predatory arthropods in terrestrial ecosystems that have been recently identified as an untapped reservoir of single-stranded (ss)DNA viruses. Specifically, spiders harbor a diversity of ssDNA viruses encoding a replicationassociated protein (Rep) within a circular genome. However, little is known about the ecology of novel circular Rep-encoding ssDNA (CRESS DNA) viruses. Here we investigated two CRESS DNA viruses recently identified in spinybacked orbweavers (Gasteracantha cancriformis), namely spinybacked orbweaver circular virus (SpOrbCV) 1 and 2. SpOrbCV-1 was detected in the majority (>65%) of spider specimens from all life stages, including eggs, spiderlings, and adults, demonstrating that this virus is active within spinybacked orbweavers. In contrast, SpOrbCV-2 was only detected in adults at a lower (36%) prevalence. Since we also detected SpOrbCV-2 in other spider species and this virus has been reported from a dragonfly, we suggest that SpOrbCV-2 is accumulated in these predators through common insect prey. The prevalence of SpOrbCV-1 in collected specimens allowed us to design assays to characterize this virus, which represents a new group of CRESS DNA viruses, the "circularisviruses". To our knowledge, SpOrbCV-1 is the first example of a vertically transmitted virus in spiders, which may explain its high prevalence in spinybacked orbweavers. Since vertically transmitted viruses infecting insects (Class Insecta) can manipulate their host behavior and physiology, future studies should investigate the ecological role of vertically transmitted viruses in spiders.

Characterization of viruses in a tapeworm: phylogenetic position, vertical transmission, and transmission to the parasitized host

“…Coracidia were homogenized in sterile suspension medium buffer through bead beating in a Fisherbrand Bead Mill 4 Homogenizer for 1 min using a mixture of glass beads. Virus particles were purified from homogenates through 0.45 μm filtration and nuclease treatment following methods used to characterize virions isolated from arthropods [29].…”

New Volvovirus Isolate From Domesticated House Cricket, Acheta Domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

“…AdVVVs are single stranded DNA viruses, could transmit vertically to their predators. Recently, researchers found single stranded DNA virus in a spider species, and they suggested vertical transmission of viral partial from prey to the predators [24]. Thus, vertical transmission of virus rises question of food security as crickets commonly used as food and feed.…”

Parasites of spiders: Their impacts on host behavior and ecology

“…Circular virus 1, 2, and 3 were the most commonly identified viruses in the surveyed spiders. Rosario et al (2019) found SpOrbCV-1 in all life stages of spinybacked orb weavers, Gasteracantha cancriformis (Linnaeus, 1758). The high prevalence of this virus in all spider life stages suggests SpOrbCV-1 is vertically transmitted, which is the first evidence for a potential vertically-transmitted virus in spiders (Rosario et al 2019).…”

“…Rosario et al (2019) found SpOrbCV-1 in all life stages of spinybacked orb weavers, Gasteracantha cancriformis (Linnaeus, 1758). The high prevalence of this virus in all spider life stages suggests SpOrbCV-1 is vertically transmitted, which is the first evidence for a potential vertically-transmitted virus in spiders (Rosario et al 2019). SpOrbCV-2 was also identified in spinybacked orb weavers but at a much lower prevalence and only in adults (Rosario et al 2019).…”