Family: Plectroviridae

Genus: Suturavirus

Distinguishing features

Spiroplasma phage SVTS2, a member of the only species in the genus, Spiroplasma virus SVTS2, infects Spiroplasma melliferum. The genome is 6,825 bases (22.7% G+C) and encodes 13 proteins (Sha et al., 2000). 

Virion

See discussion under family description. 

Genome organisation and replication

See discussion under family description. 

Biology

Members of the genus infect members of the genus Spiroplasma. 

Species demarcation criteria

There is only one species in the genus. Phages of the same species share >95% DNA sequence similarity (identity × query coverage) and significant amino-acid sequence similarity of the adhesion protein (CoaA).