A glimpse into the DNA virome of the unique "living fossil" Welwitschia mirabilis

Abstract

Here, we report the identification and characterization of four novel DNA viruses associated with Welwitschia mirabilis. Complete circular virus-like sequences with affinity to Caulimoviridae members and geminiviruses were detected and characterized from Welwitschia mirabilis genomic data. The two newly Caulimoviridae-like viruses have been tentatively named as Welwitschia mirabilis virus 1 and 2 (WMV1-WMV2); whereas the two identified geminiviruses were named as Welwitschia mirabilis associated geminivirus A and B (WMaGVA-WMaGVB). Phylogenetic analysis suggests that WMV1-2 belong to a proposed genus of Caulimoviridae-infecting gymnosperms. WMaGVA-B are phylogenetically related with both mastreviruses and capulaviruses and likely represent a distinct evolutionary lineage within geminiviruses.