Novel Avulaviruses in Penguins, Antarctica

Abstract

We identified 3 novel and distinct avulaviruses from Gentoo penguins sampled in Antarctica. We isolated these viruses and sequenced their complete genomes; serologic assays demonstrated that the viruses do not have cross-reactivity between them. Our findings suggest that these 3 new viruses represent members of 3 novel avulavirus species.

Keywords

• avian paramyxovirus
• penguins
• Antarctica
• avulavirus
• zoonoses
• viruses