Preface and Acknowledgments
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) has the task of developing a single, universal taxonomic scheme for all viruses irrespective of host. The Executive Committee coordinates a series of subcommittees and study groups that draw on the experience of a large number of virologists throughout the world and their collective efforts are represented by this Report.
The introduction includes a historical survey of the development of virus taxonomy and explains the operation of the current taxonomic system.
The main body of the Report includes descriptions of all the orders, families, subfamilies, and genera of viruses recognized by ICTV and lists the species associated with each.
Many sections of the Report rely heavily on the relevant sections of earlier ICTV Reports and we express our indebtedness to the work of earlier generations of virologists. We are deeply grateful to the many people who have contributed to this volume and have cooperated patiently with us in its production. Associate Editors and authors are listed in Part I and the authors of the descriptions in Part II are also listed at the end of their respective contributions. The detailed development of taxonomy relies on the work of the Study Groups listed in Part III, many of whom are also authors of the relevant parts of Part II. We are especially grateful to Dr. Elliot Lefkowitz for facilitating the use of ICTVonline by the contributors and editors of the Ninth Report and, with his assistant, Ms Donna Sophronia-Sims, for the editing and redrawing of the figures.
For the Editors
Eric B. Carstens
President of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses
Cover design: Coccolithoviruses (family Phycodnaviridae) released from the ubiquitous, chalk-covered marine alga Emiliania huxleyi. Phytoplankton are the foundation of the oceanic food chain and their viruses are an essential component of it. Despite their importance, however, these viruses remain largely uncharacterized. (Based on an illustration by Glynn Gorick in collaboration with Willie Wilson.)