Family: Caliciviridae

Genus: Valovirus

Distinguishing features

The strains in this genus form a distinct clade within the family Caliciviridae (Figure 4. Caliciviridae). 

Virion

See discussion under family description. 

Genome organization and replication

The complete genome of valoviruses is 6.4 kb and comprises a large ORF at the 5′-end of the genome (ORF1) and a small ORF (ORF2) partly overlapping the 3′-end of ORF1. ORF1 encodes a polyprotein with a predicted molecular mass of 256.5 kDa while ORF2 encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 13.1 kDa. Valoviruses belong to a single species, Saint Valerien virus. 

Biology 

A novel calicivirus phylogenetically distinguished from other calicivirus genera was detected in stool samples from pigs in the town St. Valérien in Quebec, Canada (L'Homme et al., 2009). 

Species demarcation criteria 

Not defined as there is only one species in the genus.