#Genetic characterization of the #marmot gut #virome in high-altitude #Qinghai Province and identification of novel #viruses with zoonotic potential
ABSTRACT The high-altitude ecosystems of Qinghai Province, China, harbor unique viral communities shaped by extreme environmental conditions and host adaptations. This study presents a comprehensive genetic characterization of the marmot gut virome , revealing novel viral strains with zoonotic potential . Using viral metagenomics, we analyzed intestinal contents from 70 marmots collected from Chengduo and Maqin counties. Sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform identified 19 viral genomes belonging to four major families : Adenoviridae, Astroviridae, Parvoviridae, and Picornaviridae , along with four novel circular Rep-encoding single-stranded DNA (CRESS DNA) viruses. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated close relationships between marmot-derived strains and viruses from humans, bats, and other mammals , highlighting potential cross-species transmission risks . Notably, bat-associated adenoviruses showed closer phylogenetic proximity to human strains, while novel parvoviruses for...