Meta-transcriptomic sequencing reveals divergent RNA viruses in geckos

Abstract

Summary: Geckos are generally small, predominantly nocturnal reptiles, with several species commonly found close to human habitations. However, little is known about viral diversity in geckos. Using meta-transcriptomic sequencing we identified four novel RNA viruses – provisionally denoted Gecko astrovirus, Gecko parechovirus, Gecko reptillovirus, and Gecko hartmanivirus – in geckos sampled in October 2019 from Hainan Province, China. The presence of these viruses was confirmed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that these viruses were most closely related to those identified in various gecko species from China and Australia, such that they represent gecko-specific lineages, yet were also genetically distinct, with amino acid sequence identities to their closest relatives ranging from 38.6 % to 74.2 %. A co-phylogeny analysis revealed a complex interplay between long-term virus-host co-divergence and more recent host jumping, which differed in frequency among groups. In sum, we demonstrate the presence of four novel gecko-associated RNA viruses, expanding our understanding of viral diversity in these common animal species.

Keywords

• Gecko
• Astrovirus
• Picornavirus
• Hantavirus
• Arenavirus
• Phylogeny