We describe here a new RNA virus (PserNV1) from the plant protist parasite Phytomonas serpens (family Trypanosomatidae, Kinetoplastida, supergroup Excavata). The properties of PserNV1 permit assignment to the genus Narnavirus (Narnaviridae), the first reported from a host other than fungi or oomycetes.

Biology Centre and Faculty of Sciences Institute of Parasitology University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Toronto Ontario Canada

Department of Molecular Microbiology Washington University School of Medicine St Louis Missouri USA

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