Family: Nipumfusiviridae

Genus: Terrafusivirus

Distinguishing features

The genus Terrafusivirus (family: Nipumfusiviridae) includes two species (Terrafusivirus michiganense and Terrafusivirus tennesseense), members of both species having been identified through metagenomic analysis of soil samples. Their terrestrial habitat preference distinguishes them from viruses in other Nipumfusiviridae genera predominantly found in marine environments. Viruses assigned to the genus must demonstrate ≥50% mean amino acid identity in all pairwise ortholog comparisons with existing genus members and retain both the major capsid protein and the ATPase.

Demarcation criteria for taxa within the genus

Novel isolates should show ≤95% average nucleotide identity in pairwise comparisons with all recognized species within the genus to qualify as a new species.