Family: Picornaviridae

Genus: Ailurivirus

Distinguishing features

The genus is distinguished on the basis of genetic characters. 

Virion

Morphology

No details are available on the morphology of virions. 

Nucleic acid

Genome: (Zhang et al., 2017) 8,003–8,100 nt (5′-UTR: 1232–1345 nt; ORF: 6,573–6,654 nt; 3′-UTR: 97–117 nt). The location of cre has not been identified. 

Genome organization and replication

Genome layout:

VPg+5′-UTR^IRES-[1A-1B-1C-1D-2A^npgp/2B-2C/3A-3B-3C-3D]-3′-UTR-poly(A)

The deduced polyprotein is of 2,191 amino acids. There is no L protein. The 2A protein has an NPG↓P motif. 

Biology

No virus has been isolated. Viral RNA was detected in faecal specimens of wild (one sick, one healthy) and captive (healthy) giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). 

Derivation of names

Ailurivirus: from Ailuropoda melanoleuca (host). 

Species demarcation criteria

There is only a single species in the genus.