Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic characterization of a novel bat-associated picornavirus-like virus with an unusual genome organization

Abstract The order Picornavirales is one of the most important viral orders in terms of virus diversity and genome organizations. With the accessibility of high-throughput sequencing, the knowledge of the picorna-like viruses' host range, geographical distribution and genome organization has recently exploded. We report here the description and characterization of the first tricistronic picorna-like virus, which was identified in rectal swabs of frugivorous bats in Cambodia. Kandabadicivirus presents unique genome architecture and distant phylogenetic relationship to the proposed Badiciviridae family, highlighting a high mosaicism of genome organizations among the Picornavirales.