Subfamily: Spumaretrovirinae

Genus: Simiispumavirus

Distinguishing features

Viruses classified in the genus Simiispumavirus circulate in a wide range of simian hosts including old world monkeys and apes, and new world monkeys (Rethwilm and Lindemann 2013). Virus phylogeny closely mirrors host phylogeny, reflective of long-term stable virus-host relationships. 

Virion

See discussion in subfamily description. 

Physicochemical and physical properties

See discussion under family description. 

Nucleic acid

See discussion under family description. 

Genome organization and replication

See discussion in subfamily description. 

Biology

See discussion in subfamily description. 

Species demarcation criteria

Species demarcation criteria include virus-host co-phylogeny and differences in natural host range, as well as differences in genome and gene product sequences.