Expansion of family Reoviridae to include nine-segmented dsRNA viruses: Isolation and characterization of a new virus designated aedes pseudoscutellaris reovirus assigned to a proposed genus (Dinovernavirus)

Family Reoviridae is known, by definition, to contain dsRNA viruses with 10-12 genome segments. We report here the characterization of the first member of this family with a nine-segmented genome. This virus was isolated from Aedes pseudoscutellaris mosquito cells and designated aedes pseudoscutellaris reovirus (APRV). Virions are single-shelled with turrets but are non-occluded by contrast to cypoviruses. APRV replicates in various mosquito cell lines, but not in mice or mammalian cells. Complete sequence analysis showed that APRV is phylogenetically related to cypoviruses, fijiviruses and oryzaviruses. The maximum amino acid identities with cypoviruses, oryzaviruses or fijiviruses in the polymerase, are compatible with values observed between these genera and lower than values within a given genus. This suggests that APRV should be classified within a new genus that we designated Dinovernavirus (sigla from D: Double-stranded, i: insect, nove: nine from the latin “novem”, rna: RNA, virus) in family Reoviridae.