Genetic Evidence of Active Circulation and Evolution of Diverse Penguin Siadenoviruses in Antarctica Based on Partial DNA Sequences.

ABSTRACT: Antarctica, one of the most isolated and extreme regions on Earth, hosts diverse bird species that share breeding and feeding habitats, facilitating interspecies transmission of pathogens. In this study, we investigated penguin siadenoviruses using cloacal swab samples collected from Antarctic penguins between 2017 and 2023 to explore their genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships. The complete hexon gene was obtained from Adélie penguins, while partial hexon and DNA polymerase sequences were detected in Adélie penguin (AP), chinstrap penguin (CP), and gentoo penguin (GP). Phylogenetic and molecular analysis identified multiple siadenoviruses classified into two distinct lineages, indicating ongoing viral evolution in this region. The hexon genes exhibited considerable genetic dive

SUBMITTER: Lee SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12682450 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature