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Classification and Host Range  
  • Family: Ovaliviridae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Not assigned to any higher taxonomic rank.
  • Genus: Alphaovalivirus
  • Species: Sulfolobus ellipsoid virus 1 (SEV1)
  • Host: Sulfolobus sp. A20
  • Habitat: Isolated from acidic hot springs (86-106°C, pH 2.2-2.5) in Laguna Fumarólica, Costa Rica.
  Genome Characteristics
  • Genome: Linear double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)
  • Genome Size: 23,219 base pairs
  • Terminal Sequences: 172 bp inverted terminal repeats.
Virion Structure and Replication
  • Virion Morphology: Ellipsoidal shape.
  • Replication:
    • Presumably through protein priming by a putative viral DNA polymerase.
    • Progeny virions are released through hexagonal openings resulting from the rupture of virus-associated pyramids formed on the surface of infected cells.