Genome sequence of Fraser's dolphin morbillivirus isolated from a stranded Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) in Hawai'i.

Over the past three decades, cetacean morbilliviruses (CeMVs) have emerged as significant pathogens affecting cetacean populations worldwide. Here, we report the genome sequence of a new CeMV, designated Fraser's dolphin morbillivirus (FDMV), isolated from a stranded Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) in Hawai'i in 2018. Next-generation sequencing facilitated recovery of the nearly complete FDMV genome (15,685 bp), and annotation indicated a genomic organization similar to that of other morbilliviruses, including six open reading frames. Genetic analysis of the FDMV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene sequence showed 87-89.6% nucleotide sequence identity compared with other CeMV strains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that FDMV is a distinct member of the genus Morbillivirus, branching as the most basal member of the CeMV clade, which may represent a new species.