title: Time scale evolution of avipoxviruses.
abstract: Avipoxviruses are divided into three clades: canarypox-like viruses, fowlpox-like viruses, and psittacinepox-like viruses. Several molecular clock and demographic models available in the BEAST package were compared on three avipoxvirus genes (P4b, cnpv186 and DNA polymerase genes), which enabled to determine that avipoxviruses evolved at a rate of 2-8×10(-5)substitution/site/year, in the range of poxviruses previously reported evolution rates. In addition, the date of mean time of divergence of avipoxviruses from a common ancestor was extrapolated to be about 10,000-30,000years ago, at the same period as modern poxvirus species. Our findings will facilitate epidemiological investigations on avipoxviruses' spread, origin and circulation.
authors.affiliation: RENECO Wildlife Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR1225, IHAP, F-31076 Toulouse, France; INRA, UMR1225, IHAP, F-31076 Toulouse, France. Electronic address: g.leloch@hotmail.fr.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Loc'h
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR1225, IHAP, F-31076 Toulouse, France; INRA, UMR1225, IHAP, F-31076 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertagnoli
authors.affiliation: INRA, UMR1225, IHAP, F-31076 Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR1225, IHAP, F-31076 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Mariette F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ducatez
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D018150:Avipoxvirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D059645:Mutation Rate; D010802:Phylogeny; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins
keywords: Avipoxvirus; DNA virus; Evolution; Molecular clock