Terfezia sp. and Armillaria sp.

Complete Genome Analyses Of A Novel Flexivirus With Unique Genome Organization and Three Endornaviruses Hosted By The Mycorrhizal Fungus Terfezia claveryiThe extensive use of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has significantly advanced and transformed ourcomprehension of virus diversity, especially in intricate settings like soil and biological specimens. In thisstudy, we delved into mycovirus sequence surveys within mycorrhizal fungus species Terfezia claveryi,through employing HTS with total dsRNA extracts. Our findings revealed the presence of four distinctmembers from the Alsuviricetes class, one flexivirus designated as Terfezia claveryi flexivirus 1 (TcFV1)and three endornaviruses (TcEV1, TcEV2, and TcEV3) in two different T. claveryi isolates. TcFV1, amember of the order Tymovirales, exhibits a unique genome structure and sequence features. Throughin-depth analyses, we found that it shares sequence similarities with other deltaflexiviruses andchallenges existing Deltaflexiviridae classification. The discovery of TcFV1 adds to the genomic plasticityof mycoviruses within the Tymovirales order, shedding light on their evolutionary adaptations.Additionally, the three newly discovered endornaviruses (TcEV1, TcEV2, and TcEV3) in T. claveryiexhibited limited sequence similarities with other endornaviruses and distinctive features, includingconserved domains like DEAD-like helicase, AAA ATPase, and RdRp, indicating their classification asmembers of new species within the Alphaendornavirus genus. In conclusion, this research emphasizesthe importance of exploring viral diversity in uncultivated fungi, bridging knowledge gaps in mycovirusecology. The discoveries of a novel flexivirus with unique genome organization and endornaviruses in T.claveryi broaden our comprehension of mycovirus diversity and evolution, highlighting the need forcontinued investigations into viral populations in wild fungi.