Two new umbravirus-like associated RNAs (ulaRNAs) were found, respectively, in maize and Johnsongrass samples from Ecuador. The complete sequences consist of 3,053 and 3,025 nucleotides, respectively, organized in four open reading frames (ORFs). Genome comparisons showed 58% identity between each other, whereas identities to the closest related viruses ranged from 28 to 60%. Phylogenetic inferences using the full genome, or the amino acid sequence of the RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase (RdRp) placed both sequences in a clade sharing a most recent ancestor with ulaRNAs from sugarcane and maize, suggesting a monophyletic grass-infecting lineage. Terminal regions exhibit features common to umbraviruses and ulaRNAs.
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