Quokkapox virus
Encyclopedia
Quokkapox virus also known as marsupial papillomavirus or marsupialpox virus is a virus
which is the cause of quokkapox. It primarily infects the quokka
, which is one of only four macropodid marsupial
s to get pox lesion
s. The lesions can mainly be seen on the tail, and can be up to 5cm in diameter.
Because the quokka
host primarily lives on isolated islands in Western Australia
, the range of the virus is limited as well. It was first described in 1972 from samples taken on Rottnest Island
.
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
which is the cause of quokkapox. It primarily infects the quokka
Quokka
The Quokka , the only member of the genus Setonix, is a small macropod about the size of a domestic cat. Like other marsupials in the macropod family , the Quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal...
, which is one of only four macropodid marsupial
Marsupial
Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals, characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young. Close to 70% of the 334 extant species occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with the remaining 100 found in the Americas, primarily in South America, but with thirteen in Central...
s to get pox lesion
Lesion
A lesion is any abnormality in the tissue of an organism , usually caused by disease or trauma. Lesion is derived from the Latin word laesio which means injury.- Types :...
s. The lesions can mainly be seen on the tail, and can be up to 5cm in diameter.
Because the quokka
Quokka
The Quokka , the only member of the genus Setonix, is a small macropod about the size of a domestic cat. Like other marsupials in the macropod family , the Quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal...
host primarily lives on isolated islands in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, the range of the virus is limited as well. It was first described in 1972 from samples taken on Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. It is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, meaning "place across the water". The island is long, and at its widest point with a total land area of . It is classified as an A Class Reserve and is managed by the...
.