Newly characterized arboviruses of northern Australia

Arboviruses circulate in the biota of northern Australia, sometimes causing disease in animals and humans. Five different arboviruses, isolated and stored for over 30 years, were re-cultured and sequenced using high-throughput sequencing technology (Ion Torrent PGM) for identification and genetic characterization. Phylogenetic analysis, primarily of sequence fragments of the large segment, indicated classification as members of the Family Bunyaviridae (Belmont, Little Sussex, Parker's Farm, and Thimiri viruses). Another was identified as a member of the Family Rhabdoviridae (Beatrice Hill virus) based on phylogenetic analysis of the RNA polymerase region.