title: Genome sequencing and genetic characterization of Culex Flavirirus (CxFV) provides new information about its genotypes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Culex Flavivirus (CxFV) is an insect-specific virus that is widely distributed and primarily infects mosquito species from the genus Culex. Its hosts include Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles sinensis mosquitoes. Since its original identification, CxFV has been reported in several countries. Despite the increasing number of reports on CxFV, little is known about its genomic characteristics. It is unclear whether the phylogenetic relationships between the strains are influenced by host species and geographic location.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We characterized the Brazilian CxFV strain and performed a comprehensive genetic and phylogenetic characterization of CxFV based on all ORF sequences described so far. Our results revealed that the Brazilian strain is in a monophyletic clade with the Mexican strain. Overall, selective pressure indicates that the ORF is undergoing purifying selection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The phylogenetic analysis revealed a strong association between climate and CxFV ancestry. Also, based on phylogeny and the genetic distance between the main branches of the tree, we propose the classification of the available sequences into two different genotypes. We also suggest the existence of two different subtypes within Genotype 1.
authors.affiliation: UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265 - Jardim Nazareth, CEP 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cíntia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bittar
authors.affiliation: FAMERP - Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, Bloco U6 - Vila São Pedro, CEP: 15090-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daiane Cristina
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265 - Jardim Nazareth, CEP 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.|FAMERP - Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, Bloco U6 - Vila São Pedro, CEP: 15090-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vedovello
authors.affiliation: UNESP - São Paulo State University, R. Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin S/N Bairro: Distrito de Rubião Junior, Botucatu, SP, CEP 18618-689, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leila Sabrina
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Ullmann
authors.affiliation: UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265 - Jardim Nazareth, CEP 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rahal
authors.affiliation: UNESP - São Paulo State University, R. Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin S/N Bairro: Distrito de Rubião Junior, Botucatu, SP, CEP 18618-689, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Pessoa
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Araújo Junior
authors.affiliation: FAMERP - Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, Bloco U6 - Vila São Pedro, CEP: 15090-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. mnogueira@famerp.br.
authors.forename: Maurício Lacerda
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Nogueira
keywords: Culex flavivirus; Genotypes; Phylogeny