Meta-transcriptome-based molecular characterization of a novel fijivirus detected in a Sogatella furcifera population from Myanmar

A novel double- stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus, tentatively named “Sogatella furcifera reovirus” (SFRV), was detected using meta-transcriptome method in a Sogatella furcifera collected in Yangon, Myanmar. The SFRV genome comprises 10 dsRNA segments encoding 11 putative proteins. The 11 ORFs and their encoded proteins has 49.1%-71.0% nucleotide and 30.5%-76.3% amino acid sequence identities with those of reference fijiviruses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SFRV clustered together with Nilaparvata lugens reovirus based on the RdRp. Fijivirus-specific motifs were identified in the SFRV genome. Thus, according to the described species demarcation criteria, SFRV belongs to a new virus in the genus Fijivirus, family Reoviridae. This is first report of an insect-specific fijivirus in S. furcifera.