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A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis
09:27

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Published on: June 4, 2016

Genome sequence of Fraser's dolphin morbillivirus isolated from a stranded Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) in

Nelmarie Landrau-Giovannetti1, Thomas B Waltzek2, John A Lednicky3,4

  • 1Health and Stranding Lab, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i, 96822, USA.

Archives of Virology
|May 7, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A new cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV), Fraser

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Marine Mammal Health
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Cetacean morbilliviruses (CeMVs) are significant pathogens impacting marine mammal populations globally.
  • Emergence of novel CeMV strains poses a continuous threat to cetacean health and conservation efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To sequence and characterize the genome of a novel morbillivirus identified in a Fraser's dolphin.
  • To determine the phylogenetic relationship of this new virus to other known morbilliviruses.

Main Methods:

  • Next-generation sequencing was employed to obtain the nearly complete genome of the novel CeMV.
  • Bioinformatic analysis was used to annotate the genome and compare gene sequences with existing morbillivirus strains.

Main Results:

  • The genome sequence of Fraser's dolphin morbillivirus (FDMV) was successfully recovered (15,685 bp).
  • FDMV exhibits a genomic organization typical of morbilliviruses, with six open reading frames.
  • Genetic analysis revealed 87-89.6% nucleotide sequence identity in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene compared to other CeMVs.
  • Phylogenetic analysis places FDMV as a distinct and basal member of the CeMV clade, potentially representing a new species.

Conclusions:

  • This study reports the first genome sequence of Fraser's dolphin morbillivirus (FDMV).
  • FDMV represents a distinct lineage within cetacean morbilliviruses, highlighting viral diversity and potential speciation.
  • Findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance for novel morbilliviruses in marine mammals.

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