biostudies-literatureKraberger SIntramural NIH HHS18https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10681122biostudies-literatureUnknown168(1)Polyomaviruses are oncogenic viruses that are generally thought to have co-evolved with their hosts. While primate and rodent polyomaviruses are increasingly well-studied, less is known about polyomaviruses that infect other mammals. In an effort to gain insight into polyomaviruses associated with carnivores, we surveyed fecal samples collected in the USA from bobcats (Lynx rufus), pumas (Puma concolor), Canada lynxes (Lynx canadensis), and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). Using a viral metagenomic approach, we identified six novel polyomavirus genomes. Surprisingly, four of the six genomes showed a phylogenetic relationship to polyomaviruses found in prey animals. These included a putative rabbit polyomavirus from a bobcat fecal sample and two possible deer-trophic polyomaviruses from CanadaArchives of virologyNovel polyomaviruses identified in fecal samples from four carnivore species.PMC10681122ZIA BC011090Serieys LEKBuck CBSquires JRRiley SPDKraberger SSchmidlin KNewkirk ESVarsani AfalseNovel polyomaviruses identified in fecal samples from four carnivore species.Polyomaviruses are oncogenic viruses that are generally thought to have co-evolved with their hosts. While primate and rodent polyomaviruses are increasingly well-studied, less is known about polyomaviruses that infect other mammals. In an effort to gain insight into polyomaviruses associated with carnivores, we surveyed fecal samples collected in the USA from bobcats (Lynx rufus), pumas (Puma concolor), Canada lynxes (Lynx canadensis), and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). Using a viral metagenomic approach, we identified six novel polyomavirus genomes. Surprisingly, four of the six genomes showed a phylogenetic relationship to polyomaviruses found in prey animals. These included a putative rabbit polyomavirus from a bobcat fecal sample and two possible deer-trophic polyomaviruses from Canada2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2025-04-18T16:46:27.402Z2025-04-07T04:14:35.384ZS-EPMC106811223659336110.1007/s00705-022-05675-5