Classification of Viruses of Vertebrates

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the classification of the viruses of vertebrates. The viruses within the few groups described are almost the only ones susceptible to such simple treatment, that in fact the species have been more and more difficult to define, while classification at the suprageneric level has been emerging in greater clarity. The main virus groups are: Pox viruses, NITA (nuclear inclusion type A) viruses, Avian viruses, Myxo viruses, Arbo viruses, Papilloma-polyoma viruses, Nani viruses, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, equine abortion, Feline rhinotracheitis , lumpy skin diseases ( Atherton virus), and lumpy skin disease ( Orphan virus). The easiest solution for the time being seems to concentrate on defining and categorizing the major groups, seeing how many viruses will fit into them, and on seeing whether the other groups can be isolated from the welter of the unclassified and be suitably named.