Abstract
The evolutionary rate of feline papillomaviruses is inferred from the phylogenetic analysis of their hosts, providing evidence for long-term virus-host co-speciation
Highlights
Estimating evolutionary rates for slowly evolving viruses such as papillomaviruses (PVs) is not possible using fossil calibrations directly or sequences sampled over a time-scale of decades
Genomic sequences of Lynx rufus PV type 1 (LrPV1), Puma concolor PV type 1 (PcPV1), Panthera leo persica PV type 1 (PlpPV1), and Uncia uncia PV type 1 (UuPV1) The PV sequences reported in this paper were isolated from an oral papillomatous lesion on the tongue of a bobcat, a lesion under the tongue of a Florida panther, a papillomatous lesion on the ventral surface of the tongue of an Asian lion, and a lesion on the lower lip of a snow leopard
PV-containing lesions were described in six feline species: the domestic cat (Felis domesticus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi, previously named Felis concolor coryi), Asian lion (Panthera leo persica), snow leopard (Uncia uncia, previously named Panthera uncia), and the
Summary
Estimating evolutionary rates for slowly evolving viruses such as papillomaviruses (PVs) is not possible using fossil calibrations directly or sequences sampled over a time-scale of decades. An ability to correlate their divergence with a host species, can provide a means to estimate evolutionary rates for these viruses accurately To determine whether such an approach is feasible, we sequenced complete feline PV genomes, previously available only for the domestic cat (Felis domesticus, FdPV1), from four additional, globally distributed feline species: Lynx rufus PV type 1, Puma concolor PV type 1, Panthera leo persica PV type 1, and Uncia uncia PV type 1. One way to circumvent this problem is to use changes accumulating in rapidly evolving genetic markers, such as associated pathogens, to infer the evolutionary history of the host This approach was recently used to investigate demographic and phylogeographic patterns in cougar populations (Puma concolor), for which host microsatellite data revealed only low genetic differentiation [2]. Based on the close relationship between FdPV1 and COPV, and between their Canidae and Felidae hosts, we suggested that the most recent common ancestor of these viruses was present in a common ancestor of cats and dogs, and was passed on to the Canidae and Felidae descendent lineages, which subsequently started to diverge [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
