Category:Corticoviridae

Corticoviridae is a family of viruses. Bacteria serve as natural hosts. There is currently only one genus (Corticovirus) and one species in this family: the type species Pseudoalteromonas phage PM2. The name is derived from Latin cortex, corticis (meaning 'crust' or 'bark'). However, prophages closely related to PM2 are abundant in the genomes of aquatic bacteria, suggesting that the ecological importance of corticoviruses might be underestimated. The whole family has been little-studied.