Distinguishing features

The genus is distinguished on the basis of genetic characters.

Virion

Morphology

No details are available on the morphology of the virions. 

Physicochemical and physical properties

No details are available on physicochemical and physical properties.

Nucleic acid

Genome (Kapoor et al., 2008b): c. 6,700 nt (5′-UTR: 506 nt, ORF: 6154 nt, 3′-UTR: 34 nt). The 5′-UTR contains a type IV IRES. The location of the cre has not been identified.

Genome organization and replication

Genome layout:

VPg+5′-UTR^IRES-IVB-[1AB-1C-1D-2A1^npgp/2A2-2B-2C/3A-3B1-3B2-3C-3D]-3′-UTR-poly(A)

The deduced polyprotein is of 2,050 amino acids. There is no L protein. 1AB protein remains uncleaved; 2A1 is a short FMDV-like polypeptide (NPG¯P), 2A2 protein has an unknown function. Two copies of 3B are predicted to be present.

Antigenicity

See discussion under family description.

Biology

Known natural hosts are pinnipeds (Phoca vitulina, Pusa hispida) and black bears (Ursus thibetanus). Affected animals are apparently healthy. Two types are distinguished.

Species demarcation criteria

There is only a single species in the genus.

Member species

Virus names, the choice of exemplar isolates, and virus abbreviations, are not official ICTV designations.

Derivation of names

Aquama-: from aquatic mammal