Fecal Virome of Southeastern Maned Sloth (Bradypus crinitus)

Abstract

We report a viral metagenomic analysis of fecal samples fromBradypus crinitus, a recently described sloth species that occurs in the Atlantic Forest of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro states, Southeast Brazil. Through Illumina sequencing, we identified 24 viral families using distinct taxonomic assignment tools, including phages and vertebrate viruses, such as retroviruses and papillomaviruses. Also, we identified four bacterial genus already associated with disease in sloths. Our study sheds light on the microbiome of a previously unexplored species, further contributing to the comprehension of metagenomic global diversity.