Pingu virus: A new picornavirus in penguins from Antarctica.

family comprises single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses distributed into forty-seven genera. Picornaviruses have a broad host range and geographic distribution in all continents. In this study, we applied a high-throughput sequencing approach to examine the presence of picornaviruses in penguins from King George Island, Antarctica.

Krykféie dicistrovirus: A novel dicistrovirus in velvety free-tailed bats from Brazil.

The Dicistroviridae family comprises positive single-stranded RNA viruses that are classified into Picornavirales order. These viruses are identified in arthropod hosts, including some having devastating economic consequences. Here, we described and characterized a novel nearly complete dicistrovirus genome identified in liver samples of velvety free-tailed bats (Molossus molossus) collected in June 2010 in Araçatuba city, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Discovery of novel astrovirus and calicivirus identified in ruddy turnstones in Brazil.

Birds are the natural reservoir of viruses with zoonotic potential, as well as contributing to the evolution, emergence, and dissemination of novel viruses. In this study, we applied a high-throughput screening approach to identify the diversity of viruses in 118 samples of birds captured between October 2006 to October 2010 in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. We found nearly complete genomes of novel species of astrovirus and calicivirus in cloacal swabs of ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres) collected in Coroa do Avião islet, Pernambuco State.

A Novel Hepacivirus in Wild Rodents from South America.

The genus comprises single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses within the family . Several hepaciviruses have been identified in different mammals, including multiple rodent species in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. To date, no rodent hepacivirus has been identified in the South American continent.

Viral diversity of Rhipicephalus microplus parasitizing cattle in southern Brazil.

Ticks are ectoparasites spread worldwide and are well known as vectors of many viruses of great importance to human and animal health. However, the viral diversity in ticks is still poorly understood, particularly in South America. Here we characterized the viral diversity present in Rhipicephalus microplus parasitizing cattle in the southern region of Brazil using metagenomics.

Distribution, Diversity, and Evolution of Endogenous Retroviruses in Perissodactyl Genomes.

The evolution of mammalian genomes has been shaped by interactions with endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). In this study, we investigated the distribution and diversity of ERVs in the mammalian order , with a view to understanding their impact on the evolution of modern equids (family ). We characterize the major ERV lineages in the horse genome in terms of their genomic distribution, ancestral genome organization, and time of activity.

A novel polyomavirus in sigmodontine rodents from São Paulo State, Brazil.

The nearly complete genome sequence of a novel polyomavirus from blood samples of Akodon montensis and Calomys tener collected in Brazil was determined by high-throughput sequencing. This virus showed a typical polyomaviruses genome organization, and it was classified as a member of the genus Betapolyomavirus. Our results expand the host range and viral diversity of the family Polyomaviridae.

Novel orthohepeviruses in wild rodents from São Paulo State, Brazil.

The Hepeviridae comprise single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses classified into two genera, Orthohepevirus and Piscihepevirus. Orthohepeviruses have a wide host range that includes rodents, but previous studies had been restricted to rodents of the Muridae family. In this study, we applied a high-throughput sequencing approach to examine the presence of orthohepeviruses in rodents from São Paulo State, Brazil.

Discovery of novel anelloviruses in small mammals expands the host range and diversity of the Anelloviridae.

The Anelloviridae comprises single-stranded DNA viruses currently grouped in sixty-eight species classified in twelve genera. They have been found in many vertebrate hosts including primates. In this study, we describe the application of the high-throughput sequencing to examine the frequency and diversity of anelloviruses in rodents, bats and opossums captured in São Paulo State, Brazil.

Chapparvoviruses occur in at least three vertebrate classes and have a broad biogeographic distribution.

Chapparvoviruses are a highly divergent group of parvoviruses (family Parvoviridae) that have recently been identified via metagenomic sampling of animal faeces. Here, we report the sequences of six novel chapparvoviruses identified through both metagenomic sampling of bat tissues and in silico screening of published vertebrate genome assemblies. The novel chapparvoviruses share several distinctive genomic features and group together as a robustly supported monophyletic clade in phylogenetic trees.