Development and morphology of an unusual nuclear virus of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus

The morphogenesis of BFV (Bi-Facies Virus) of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, is described and discussed. This virus has 2 kinds of development and 2 types of completed particles. The rod-shaped core and its associated structures are similar in the 2 types, but Type A has a double envelope, with the outer envelope being hexagonal in section, while Type B has a single, highly deformable envelope that is roughly elliptical or circular in section. Both envelopes are assembled de novo within the nucleus Possible relationships of BFV to other viruses are discussed Its distinctive morphology and development indicate that BFV is the representative of a new family of viruses. It is perhaps related to one or more of the double-stranded DNA viruses of the families Iridoviridae. Poxviridae, Baculoviridae, and Herpesviridae.