Detection and genetic characterization of Densvirus from Oriental Pied hornbill in Guangxi, China

Abstract

Densoviruses (DNVs), members of the family Parvoviridae, infect a broad range of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, yet their presence in birds remains poorly understood. Densoviruses have been increasingly recognized for their ecological roles in controlling insect populations and potentially affecting vertebrate hosts through trophic interactions. In this study, we investigated DNVs in the Oriental Pied hornbill, a widespread species in Southeast Asia and Southern China. Thirteen fecal samples were collected and analyzed using viral metagenomics and molecular techniques. PCR screening detected DNVs in two samples, and complete genomes of two strains (GBF3 and GBF4) were successfully obtained. Phylogenetic analysis of conserved NS1 and VP1 regions showed that both strains belong to the genus Densovirus (subfamily Densovirinae) and cluster closely with PmDNV-JL previously identified in Parus major. These findings represent the first genomic evidence of DNVs in Oriental Pied hornbills, emphasizing the potential for cross-species transmission and the importance of birds as ecological reservoirs of arthropod-associated viruses. Our study also provides insights into viral diversity, host adaptation, and the evolutionary dynamics of DNVs in natural ecosystems. Future research should explore the replication capacity and pathogenic potential of DNVs in avian hosts to assess their epidemiological significance.