Alphaflexivirus Genomes in Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease-Affected, Disease-Exposed, and Disease-Unexposed Coral Colonies in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is decimating Caribbean corals. Here, through the metatranscriptomic assembly and annotation of two alphaflexivirus-like strains, we provide genomic evidence of filamentous viruses in SCTLD-affected,-exposed, and -unexposed coral colonies. These data will assist in clarifying the roles of viruses in SCTLD.

Automated summary

This study provides genomic evidence of filamentous viruses in SCTLD-affected corals and contributes to understanding the roles of viruses in SCTLD.