Subfamily: Alphairidovirinae

Genus: Lymphocystivirus

Subfamily: Betairidovirinae

Genus: Iridovirus

Subfamily: Betairidovirinae

Genus: Chloriridovirus

Distinguishing features

Historically, the larger virion size (180 nm compared to 120–130 nm) and the yellow-green iridescence of patently-infected larvae and purified viral pellets were used to distinguish members of the genus Chloriridovirus from those within the genus Iridovirus. Currently chloriridoviruses are distinguished from iridoviruses by phylogenetic analysis. 

Authors: Iridoviridae

V Gregory Chinchar*
Iridoviridae Study Group Chair
Department of Microbiology
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson
MS, 39216
USA
E-mail: vchinchar@umc.edu

Paul Hick
Sidney School of Veterinary Science
Faculty of Science
University of Sydney
Camden
NSW 2570
Australia
E-mail: paul.hick@sydney.edu.au

Further reading: Iridoviridae

Chinchar, V. G. (2002).  Ranaviruses (family Iridoviridae): emerging cold-blooded killers. Arch Virol 147, 447-470. [PubMed]

Resources: Iridoviridae

Global Ranavirus Consortium:

http://www.ranavirus.org

References: Iridoviridae

(2015).  Ranaviruses:  Lethal pathogens of ectothermic vertebrates. Edited by Gray M.J. & V. G. Chinchar: Springer OPEN. 

Citation: Iridoviridae

A summary of this ICTV Report chapter has been published as an ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile article in the Journal of General Virology, and should be cited when referencing this online chapter as follows:

Family: Iridoviridae

V. Gregory Chinchar​, Paul Hick, Jie Huang, Ikbal Agah Ince​, James K Jancovich, Rachel Marschang​, Qiwei Qin, Kuttichantran Subramaniam​, Thomas B Waltzek, Richard Whittington, Trevor Williams and Qi-Ya Zhang

Family: Corticoviridae

Genus: Corticovirus

Distinguishing features

Since only one genus is currently recognized, the genus description corresponds to the family description.

Species demarcation criteria

Members of the same species are more than 95% identical in nucleotide sequence.