Introduction

Introduction

from Ralf G. Dietzgen and Ivan V. Kuzmin writing in Rhabdoviruses: Molecular Taxonomy, Evolution, Genomics, Ecology, Host-Vector Interactions, Cytopathology and Control:

There is no abstract for this chapter. The following is the first paragraph: Rhabdoviruses constitute a diverse group of viruses with non-segmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genomes (Mononegavirales), which share a common morphology, phylogeny, and similar genome organization. The outstanding characteristic of rhabdoviruses is their large, bullet-shaped (Ge et al., 2010) or bacilliform (Jackson et al., 2005) virions after which the family Rhabdoviridae is named. The Big Picture Book of Viruses provides a collection of stunning and beautiful images of rhabdovirus electron micrographs and cartoons (www.virology.net/big_virology/BVRNArhabdo.html). Despite (or because of) these common characteristics, rhabdoviruses successfully utilize a plethora of ecological niches, infecting a variety of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates.

Further reading: Rhabdoviruses: Molecular Taxonomy, Evolution, Genomics, Ecology, Host-Vector Interactions, Cytopathology and Control