Novel paramyxoviruses in Australian flying-fox populations support host-virus co-evolution

J Gen Virol. 2015 Jul;96(Pt 7):1619-25. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.000099. Epub 2015 Feb 20.

Abstract

Understanding the diversity of henipaviruses and related viruses is important in determining the viral ecology within flying-fox populations and assessing the potential threat posed by these agents. This study sought to identify the abundance and diversity of previously unknown paramyxoviruses (UPVs) in Australian flying-fox species (Pteropus alecto, Pteropus scapulatus, Pteropus poliocephalus and Pteropus conspicillatus) and in the Christmas Island species Pteropus melanotus natalis. Using a degenerative reverse transcription-PCR specific for the L gene of known species of the genus Henipavirus and two closely related paramyxovirus genera Respirovirus and Morbillivirus, we identified an abundance and diversity of previously UPVs, with a representative 31 UPVs clustering in eight distinct groups (100 UPVs/495 samples). No new henipaviruses were identified. The findings were consistent with a hypothesis of co-evolution of paramyxoviruses and their flying-fox hosts. Quantification of the degree of co-speciation between host and virus (beyond the scope of this study) would strengthen this hypothesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Chiroptera / virology*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Paramyxoviridae / classification*
  • Paramyxoviridae / genetics
  • Paramyxoviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Associated data

  • GENBANK/KF871289
  • GENBANK/KF871290
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  • GENBANK/KF871319