Introduction

Virus Taxonomy

Classification and Nomenclature of Viruses

Report
of the
International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses

Editors

Andrew M.Q. King, Michael J. Adams, Eric B. Carstens,
and Elliot J. Lefkowitz

International Union of Microbiological Societies
Virology Division

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the ICTV.

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.)