ICTV Report

Family: Chaacviridae (interim)

This is a summary page created by the ICTV Report Editors using information from associated Taxonomic Proposals and the Master Species List.

Edited by: Mart Krupovic
Posted: October 2024

Summary

The family Chaacviridae includes dsDNA viruses that infect anaerobic methanotrophic ANME-1 archaea (Table 1 Chaacviridae). The family Chaacviridae was established in 2023 (Master Species List #38).

Table 1 Chaacviridae. Characteristics of members of the family Chaacviridae.

CharacteristicDescription
ExampleMethanophagales virus PBV304 (OP548099), species Homochaacvirus pescaderoense, genus Homochaacvirus
VirionOnly known from metagenomic studies, predicted to have tailless icosahedral virions
GenomeLinear, dsDNA genomes of 10.2–10.8 kbp with inverted terminal repeats
Host rangeAnaerobic methanotrophic ANME-1 archaea
TaxonomyRealm Varidnaviria, kingdom Bamfordvirae, phylum Preplasmiviricota, class Tectiliviricetes, order Coyopavirales: 2 genera and 3 species

A taxonomic proposal to the ICTV, not yet ratified, would see this family moved to different kingdom, phylum and class.

Chaacviridae genome
Figure 1 Chaacviridae. Genome organisation of Methanophagales virus PBV304, a member of the family Chaacviridae. Boxes indicate open reading frames as annotated on GenBank accession OP548099.
Chaacviridae taxonomy
Figure 2 Chaacviridae. Relationships of the taxa connected to the family Chaacviridae.

Derivation of names

Chaacviridae: from Chaac, the god of rain in Mayan mythology

Antichaacvirus: from the Greek anti, meaning “opposed”

Homochaacvirus: from the Greek homo, meaning “same”