Molecular characterization of a new emaravirus infecting Clerodendrum thomsoniae plants

Abstract

High-throughput sequencing revealed a new emaravirus named clerodendrum yellow blotch virus (ClYBV), infecting Clerodendrum thomsoniae plants in São Paulo State, Brazil. Four genomic RNA segments (RNA1, RNA3, RNA4, and RNA5) were recovered, whereas RNA2 remained undetected. Phylogenetic analysis and pairwise comparisons based on amino acid sequences showed ClYBV is most closely related to redbud yellow ringspot-associated virus (RYRaV, Emaravirus cercidis). No ClYBV particles were observed by transmission electron microscopy in leaf tissues from infected plants. These results support the identification of ClYBV as a new Emaravirus member, though the undetectable RNA2 suggests the isolate may be defective, lacking this segment and unable to produce virus particles. The binomial species name “Emaravirus clerodendri” is proposed.