Molecular Characterization of a Novel Rubodvirus Infecting Raspberries.

A novel negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus showing genetic similarity to viruses of the genus Rubodvirus has been found in raspberry plants in the Czech Republic and has tentatively been named raspberry rubodvirus 1 (RaRV1). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed its clustering within the group, albeit distantly related to other members. A screening of 679 plant and 168 arthropod samples from the Czech Republic and Norway revealed RaRV1 in 10 raspberry shrubs, one batch of Aphis idaei , and one individual of Orius minutus . Furthermore, a distinct isolate of this virus was found, sharing 95% amino acid identity in both the full nucleoprotein and partial sequence of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene sequences, meeting the species demarcation criteria. This discovery marks the first reported instance of a rubodvirus infecting raspberry plants. Although transmission experiments under experimental conditions were unsuccessful, positive detection of the virus in some insects suggests their potential role as vectors for the virus.