Dinodnavirus is a genus of viruses that infect dinoflagellates. This genus belongs to the clade of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses. The name is derived from 'di' (dinoflagellate) and DNA (from its genome).

The type species is Heterocapsa circularisquama DNA virus 01.

Virology

The virus has an isosahedral capsid ~200 nanometers in diameter.

The genome is a single molecule of double stranded DNA of a ~356-kilobases.

It infects the dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama.

During replication virions emerge from a specific cytoplasm compartment - the 'viroplasm' - which is created by the virus.

Taxonomy

The taxonomic position of this genus is unclear at present.

The type species was originally thought to belong to the family Phycodnaviridae

Phycodnaviridae

Phycodnaviruses are large , double stranded DNA viruses that infect marine or freshwater eukaryotic algae...

. DNA studies have shown that it seems more likely to be related to the family Asfarviridae

Asfarviridae

Asfarviridae is a family of viruses that primarily infects swine, resulting in an onset of African swine fever. There is a single genus in this family: Asfivirus. The name of this family and genus are derived from the acronym: African swine fever and related viruses...

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