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Cetacean morbilliviruses are phylogenetically divergent

M W G van de Bildt1, T Kuiken, A D M E Osterhaus

  • 1Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre, Pieterburen, The Netherlands.

Archives of Virology
|March 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Phylogenetic analysis revealed porpoise morbillivirus (PMV) and dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) are highly divergent. This challenges their classification as a single species, cetacean morbillivirus.

Area of Science:

  • * Virology
  • * Marine Mammal Health
  • * Molecular Evolution

Background:

  • * Morbilliviruses are known pathogens affecting various mammalian species.
  • * Cetacean morbilliviruses (CeMV) have been identified in both dolphins and porpoises.
  • * Previous classifications suggested a single species, cetacean morbillivirus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To conduct a phylogenetic comparison of porpoise morbillivirus (PMV) and dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) isolates.
  • * To evaluate the current species classification of CeMV based on molecular data.
  • * To apply established phylogenetic criteria used for measles virus classification.

Main Methods:

  • * Phylogenetic analysis of PMV and DMV isolates.
  • * Comparison with established measles virus phylogenetic criteria.
  • * Molecular sequencing and analysis of viral genomes.

Main Results:

  • * PMV and DMV isolates exhibited significant genetic divergence.
  • * The observed divergence exceeded that found between the most distinct measles virus strains.
  • * This high level of genetic difference was consistent across multiple phylogenetic analyses.

Conclusions:

  • * The distinct genetic lineages of PMV and DMV challenge their classification as strains of a single species.
  • * Re-evaluation of the taxonomy of cetacean morbilliviruses may be warranted.
  • * Further research into CeMV diversity and host specificity is recommended.

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