Identification of a novel papillomavirus in the migratory black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) from southwestern China.

In the present study, a papillomavirus, designated CrPV1, was identified for the first time in fecal samples collected from black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in southwestern China using virus-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis. The complete CrPV1 genome was 7 794 bp in length. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome showed that CrPV1 clustered closely with Columba livia papillomavirus 1 and was clearly distinct from previously reported papillomaviruses, including Psittacus erithacus papillomavirus (PePV1), Francolinus leucoscepus papillomavirus 1 (FlPV1), and Fringilla coelebs papillomavirus (FcPV1). These findings expand current knowledge of papillomavirus diversity in gulls and provide new insight into the evolutionary origin of papillomaviruses in this host group.