Taxonomy of Rhabdoviruses
Ralf G. Dietzgen and Ivan V. Kuzmin
from: Rhabdoviruses: Molecular Taxonomy, Evolution, Genomics, Ecology, Host-Vector Interactions, Cytopathology and Control (Edited by: Ralf G. Dietzgen and Ivan V. Kuzmin). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2012)
Abstract
Taxonomy helps us to classify viruses according to guidelines developed by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Historical approaches, based on physico-chemical characteristics, serologic relationships, genetic distances, or pathobiology, have been replaced with more complex concepts of viral species, that includes all the above, coupled with the genetic structure, evolutionary relationships, and ecologic properties of viruses. The species are segregated into genera, families, and orders, similar to the hierarchical systems developed for other living forms. Currently, the family Rhabdoviridae includes six genera and several species, not assigned to any of the established genera. Taxonomic concepts evolve along with our growing scientific knowledge, development of novel tools and approaches, and appreciation of a variety of characters for comprehensive delineation of taxonomic entities. In this chapter we describe the most recent advances of rhabdovirus taxonomy, reflected in the 9 th report of the ICTV, and those that arose after the report was prepared for publication read more ...
