Biology:Pandoraviridae

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Short description: Family of viruses


Pandoraviridae
Pandoravirus virion.jpg
Pandoravirus virion
Virus classification
Group:
Group I (dsDNA)
Order:
Megavirales
Family:
Pandoraviridae
Genus:

Pandoraviridae is a family of double-stranded DNA viruses that infect amoebae. There is only one genus in this family: Pandoravirus. Several species in this genus have been described, including Pandoravirus dulcis, Pandoravirus salinus and Pandoravirus yedoma.[1][2]

History

The viruses were discovered in 2013.[1][2]

Description

The viruses in this family are the second largest known virus (~1 micrometer) in capsid length, after Pithovirus (1.5 micrometer).[3] Pandoravirus has the largest viral genome known, containing double-stranded DNA of 1.9 to 2.5 megabase pairs.[4][1]

Evolution

These viruses appear to be related to the phycodnaviruses.[5]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q16987267 entry