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- Nodnavirus is a genus of viruses that specifically infects dinoflagellates, and it belongs to the clade of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses. The only known species in this genus is Heterocapsa circularisquama DNA virus 01. The genus was initially thought to be part of the Phycodnaviridae family, but further DNA studies have placed it within the Asfarviridae family. The name of the order, Dinodnavirales, derives from "Dino" (referring to the host, the dinoflagellate) and "dna" (from its double-stranded DNA genome).
- In terms of structure, nodnaviruses feature an icosahedral capsid approximately 200 nanometers in diameter. The viral genome consists of a single molecule of double-stranded DNA of about 356 kilobases. During the viral replication process, new virions emerge from a specialized cytoplasmic compartment known as the viroplasm, which is specifically created by the virus within the host cell.
- Taxonomy Update: Although initially classified under Phycodnaviridae, molecular studies have confirmed that the Nodnavirus genus is more accurately placed within the Asfarviridae family.
