Complete genome sequence of a new isolate of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 from Solenopsis invicta x richteri hybrid ants

Authors: Valles, Steven; OLIVER, JASON - TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDESSO, KARLA - TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Genome Announcements
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2017
Publication Date: 11/30/2017
Citation: Valles, S.M., Oliver, J., Addesso, K. 2017. Complete genome sequence of a new isolate of Solenopsis invicta virus 3 from Solenopsis invicta x richteri hybrid ants. Genome Announcements. 5(48):e01273-17. doi:10.1128/genomeA.01273-17.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.01273-17

Interpretive Summary: The red imported fire ant was introduced into the United States in the 1930s and currently infests about 300 million acres. It causes economic losses that exceed 6 billion dollars annually in the United States and poses a threat to human health. Scientists at the USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (Gainesville, FL) and Tennessee State University have discovered a new isolate of the RNA virus, Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3) in Solenopsis invicta x richteri hybrid fire ants. The new virus isolate, SINV-3HYBRID is considerably different from the original DM isolate and may find use as a natural control agent of imported fire ants in the U.S.

Technical Abstract: Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that infects the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. We report here the full genome (10,383 nucleotides [nt]) of an isolate infecting Solenopsis invicta x richteri hybrids, which we have identified as SINV-3 HYBRID.