A decade of advances in iridovirus research.

I. I ntroduction: Impact of Iridoviruses on the Health of Ectothermic Vertebrates II. T axonomy A. D efinition of the Family Iridoviridae B. F eatures Distinguishing the Genera C. F eatures Delineating the Species D. R elationships with Other Families of Large DNAViruses III. G enomic Studies A. G enetic Content B. G ene Order and Elucidation of Gene Function IV. V iral Replication Strategy A. G eneral Features of Iridovirus Replication B. R NA Synthesis: Virion-Associated and Virus-Induced Transcriptional Activators C. I nhibition of Host Macromolecular Synthesis D. A poptosis V. V ertebrate Iridoviruses: Pathology and Diagnosis VI. I mmune Responses to Vertebrate Iridoviruses VII. E cology of Vertebrate Iridoviruses A. I nfections in Natural Populations B. I nfections in Farmed Populations VIII. S tructure of Invertebrate Iridescent Viruses IX. E cology of Invertebrate Iridescent Viruses A. P atent IIV Infections Are Usually Rare B. S easonal Trends in Infections C. C overt Infections Can Be Common D. C overt Infections Are Detrimental to Host Fitness E. H ost Range F. T ransmission and Route of Infection G. M oisture is Crucial to IIV Survival in the Environment X. I ridoviruses in Noninsect Marine and Freshwater Invertebrates XI. C onclusions R eferences