Munia coronavirus HKU13

Munia coronavirus HKU13
Virus classification
(unranked):	Virus
Realm:	Riboviria
Kingdom:	Orthornavirae
Phylum:	Pisuviricota
Class:	Pisoniviricetes
Order:	Nidovirales
Family:	Coronaviridae
Genus:	Deltacoronavirus
Subgenus:	Buldecovirus
Species:	Deltacoronavirus lonchurae

Munia coronavirus HKU13 (Deltacoronavirus lonchurae) is a species of coronavirus in the genus Deltacoronavirus . ^{[1] [2]}

Munia coronavirus HKU13

Munia coronavirus HKU13 (Deltacoronavirus lonchurae) is a species of coronavirus in the genus Deltacoronavirus that primarily infects birds of the genus Lonchura, commonly known as munias or mannikins. ^{[3] [4]}

Classification and Discovery

Munia coronavirus HKU13 belongs to the genus Deltacoronavirus, which is one of the four genera in the family Coronaviridae. ^[4] The virus was first discovered by researchers from the University of Hong Kong during surveillance of coronaviruses in wild birds. ^[3] Its identification helped expand knowledge of coronavirus host range and evolution.

Genetic Characteristics

The virus has a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome typical of coronaviruses. ^[3] Genomic analyses show that HKU13 shares similarities with other avian deltacoronaviruses, supporting the hypothesis that birds serve as natural reservoirs for members of this genus. ^[4]

Importance in Research

Studying Munia coronavirus HKU13 improves understanding of interspecies transmission of coronaviruses, viral evolution, and the potential for zoonotic spillover. ^[3] It also serves as a model for examining coronavirus adaptation mechanisms in avian hosts.

References

1. "History of the taxon: Species: Deltacoronavirus lonchurae (2024 Release, MSL #40)". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
2. "Species List: Coronaviridae". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
3. Woo, P.C.Y., Lau, S.K.P., Lam, C.S.F., Lau, C.C.Y., Tsang, A.K.L., Lau, J.H.N., Bai, R., Teng, J.L.L., Tsang, C.C.C., Wang, M., Zheng, S., Chan, K.H., Yuen, K.Y. (2012). Discovery of seven novel Mammalian and avian coronaviruses in the genus Deltacoronavirus supports bat coronaviruses as the gene source of Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus and avian coronaviruses as the gene source of Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus. Journal of Virology. 86(7): 3995-4008. https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.06540-11
4. International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). "Coronaviridae". ICTV Report. https://ictv.global/report/chapter/coronaviridae/coronaviridae