Viruses
in
Fungi
Killer
phenotypes
associated
with
the
strains
of
Saccharomyces
cerevisiae
and
Ustilago
maydis
have
been
shown
to
be
virus
related.
dsDNA viruses have been detected in cells of Penicillium moulds. dsRNA viruses are widely present in the higher fungi.
They are predominantly latent, relatively small (25-48 nm), spherical to polyhedral particles with simple capsids. The name mycornaviruses has been suggested for fungal viruses containing dsRNA.
The bacilliform particle of Agaricus bisporous is the only fungal virus reported that contains ssRNA.
