''Okavirus'' is a genus of enveloped positive-strand RNA viruses which infect crustaceans. Host organisms are mostly

shrimp Shrimp are crustaceans (a form of shellfish) with elongated bodies and a primarily swimming mode of locomotion – most commonly Caridea and Dendrobranchiata of the decapod order, although some crustaceans outside of this order are refer ...

. It is the only genus in the family ''Roniviridae''. Viruses associated with the genus include: gill-associated virus (GAV) which causes reddening, biofouling with exoparasites, emaciation, and massive mortality; and yellow head virus (YHV) which causes yellow head, arrest of feeding, and massive mortality. The name is derived from the 'Oka' or lymphoid organ in which the viruses are commonly detected and in which pathology occurs during acute infections. Lymphoid organs are anatomical structures common to penaeid shrimp. There are three species in this genus.

Structure

Viruses in the genus ''Okavirus'' are enveloped, with

bacilliform A bacillus (), also called a bacilliform bacterium or often just a rod (when the context makes the sense clear), is a rod-shaped bacterium or archaeon. Bacilli are found in many different taxonomic groups of bacteria. However, the name ''Bacillu ...

geometries, and helical symmetry. The diameter is around 20–30 nm.

Genome

Genomes are linear and non-segmented, around 26 kb in length.

Life cycle

Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment to host receptors, which mediates

endocytosis Endocytosis is a cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell. The material to be internalized is surrounded by an area of cell membrane, which then buds off inside the cell to form a vesicle containing the ingested material. E ...

. Replication follows the positive stranded RNA virus replication model. Positive stranded RNA virus transcription is the method of transcription. Crustaceans and mostly prawns serve as the natural host. Transmission routes are ingestion.

Taxonomy

The genus contains one subgenus with three species: *'' Tipravirus'' **'' Gill-associated virus'' **'' Okavirus 1'' **'' Yellow head virus''

References

External links

ICTV Report: ''Roniviridae''

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3775810, from2=Q7365724, from3=Q57751806, from4=Q57754796 Roniviridae Virus genera