Subfamily: Alphairidovirinae

Genus: Ranavirus

Distinguishing features

Ranaviruses infect one or more species within the classes Reptilia, Amphibia and Osteichthyes and cause systemic infections. Depending upon the virus and the age and health of the host, infections result in a variety of clinical signs such as internal organ hemorrhage, skin sloughing and external petechia. Among currently identified ranaviruses, sequence identity within the major capsid protein is approximately 70% or higher. 

Subfamily: Alphairidovirinae

Genus: Megalocytivirus

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: