Genus Yatapoxvirus

Type Species	Yaba monkey tumor virus	(YMTV)

Distinguishing Features

Virions are brick-shaped, about 300 250 200  nm. DNA is about 146  kbp in size, G+C is about 33%. Yaba monkey tumor virus (YMTV) in primates causes histiocytomas, tumor-like masses of mononuclear cells. Viruses have been isolated from captive monkeys, baboons, and experimentally infected rabbits. Laboratory infections of man have been reported. Although DNAs cross-hybridize extensively, DNA restriction maps suggest major sequence divergences between Tanapox virus (TANV) and YMTV. TANV produces localized lesions in primates that likely result from the mechanical transmission by insects generally during the rainy season in African rain forests. Lesions commonly contain virions with a double-layer envelope surrounding the viral surface membrane.

List of Species Demarcation Criteria in the Genus

Species demarcation criteria include restriction enzyme polymorphisms (RFLPs), serological criteria including cross protection in animals and plaque neutralization tests, geographical distribution, ecological niche and nature of the disease.

List of Species in the Genus

Official virus species names are in italics. Tentative virus species names, alternative names ( ), strains or serotypes are not italicized. Virus names, genome sequence accession numbers [ ], and assigned abbreviations ( ) are:

Species in the Genus

Tanapox virus		(TANV)
Yaba monkey tumor virus	[D26580]	(YMTV)

Tentative Species in the Genus

None reported.