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The Chloriridovirus is a genus within the virus family Iridoviridae. These viruses are characterized by their large size, typically ranging from 120 to 350 nanometers in diameter. They possess an icosahedral capsid, which is the protein shell surrounding their genetic material. The genetic material itself is linear, double-stranded DNA.1

The Iridoviridae family includes several genera, such as Iridovirus, Chloriridovirus, Lymphocystivirus, Ranavirus, and Megalocytivirus. For example, the Iridovirus genus contains viruses that infect insects, while Lymphocystivirus infects fish, and Ranavirus infects amphibians. Viruses are classified based on their nucleic acid content (DNA or RNA), size, capsid shape, and the presence of an envelope.12

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