Polydnaviridae is a family of viruses that infect parasitoid wasps and belong to the order Mononegavirales. These viruses are unique in the sense that they have a mutualistic relationship with their wasp hosts and are essential for the wasp's successful development and reproduction. The name "Polydnaviridae" is derived from the Greek word "polydneia," which means "many parts," referring to the segmented nature of the viral genome.
Polydnaviruses are known for their fascinating biology and complex life cycles. Unlike typical viruses, they have a bipartite genome consisting of two circular DNA molecules named the proviral DNA segments (PDVs) and excisionases. These viral DNA segments integrate into the genomes of the parasitoid wasp and are vertically transmitted from one generation to another.
The Polydnaviridae family is further divided into two genera: Ichnovirus and Bracovirus, based on the type of wasp host they infect. Ichnoviruses infect wasps belonging to the Ichneumonidae family, while Bracoviruses infect wasps belonging to the Braconidae family. Both types of viruses act as immune suppressors in their respective hosts, allowing the wasp larvae to survive and develop within the host insect.
In conclusion, Polydnaviridae is a unique family of viruses that have co-evolved with parasitoid wasps, playing a crucial role in their survival and reproduction. Their complex biology and interesting features make them an intriguing field of study for researchers in the field of virology and entomology.
The word "Polydnaviridae" is a scientific term that comes from Greek roots. "Polydnaviridae" is a combination of two Greek words: "poly" and "dnavirus".
1. "Poly" (from Greek "polús") means "many" or "multiple" in English.
2. "DNA" is the abbreviation of "deoxyribonucleic acid", which is the genetic material that carries the information for the development and functioning of organisms.
3. "Virus" (from Latin "vīrus") refers to a microscopic organism that can infect living organisms, reproduce inside them, and cause disease.
Therefore, the term "Polydnaviridae" refers to a family (ending with "-idae" suffix) of viruses that have multiple (poly) DNA molecules (-dnavirus) in their structure.