Fish rhabdoviruses: molecular epidemiology and evolution

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Fish Pathology
• Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

• Rhabdoviruses pose significant threats to wild and farmed fish populations.
• The Rhabdoviridae family includes six genera, with fish rhabdoviruses belonging to Vesiculovirus, Novirhabdovirus, or unassigned groups.
• Understanding the diversity and evolution of fish rhabdoviruses is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize and discuss published and novel data on the molecular epidemiology and phylogeography of fish rhabdoviruses.
• To investigate intrapopulational differences and subgrouping within fish rhabdoviruses.
• To provide insights into the evolutionary dynamics of key fish rhabdoviruses.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing literature on fish rhabdoviruses.
• Analysis of molecular data, including sequence analysis.
• Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses to determine evolutionary relationships and geographic distribution.
• Comparative analysis of specific fish rhabdovirus species: spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), and viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV).

Main Results:

• Detailed molecular epidemiology and phylogeography of various fish rhabdoviruses are presented.
• Intrapopulational variations and subgroupings within fish rhabdoviruses have been identified.
• Specific insights into the genetic diversity and spread patterns of SVCV, IHNV, and VHSV are discussed.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive overview of fish rhabdovirus epidemiology and evolution.
• Molecular data reveal complex population structures and evolutionary histories for fish rhabdoviruses.
• Findings contribute to a better understanding of fish rhabdovirus diversity, aiding in the development of effective control strategies for aquatic animal health.