Mimiviridae is a family of viruses. Amoeba and other protists serve as natural hosts. The family is divided in up to 4 subfamilies. Viruses in this family belong to the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus clade (NCLDV), also referred to as giant viruses. Mimiviridae is the sole recognized member of order Imitervirales. Phycodnaviridae and Pandoraviridae of Algavirales are sister groups of Mimiviridae in many phylogenetic analyses. History The first member of this family, Mimivirus, was discovered in 2003, and the first complete genome sequence was published in 2004. However, the mimivirus Cafeteria roenbergensis virus was isolated and partially characterized in 1995, although the host was misidentified at the time, and the virus was designated BV-PW1. Taxonomy Group: dsDNA Family Mimiviridae is currently divided into three subfamilies. One subfamily (genus Mimivirus, proposed names: Megavirinae or Megamimivirinae) is divided into three "lineages": A — Mimivirus group: includes Acanthamoeba polyphaga Mimivirus, Hirudovirus, Mamavirus, Kroon virus, Lentille virus, Terra2, Niemeyer virus, Samba virus. B — Moumouvirus group: includes Moumouvirus, Saudi moumouvirus, Moumouvirus goulette, Monve virus (aka Moumouvirus monve), and Ochan virus. C — Courdo11 virus group: includes Mont1, Courdo7, Courdo11, Megavirus chilensis, LBA111, Powai lake megavirus and Terra1. The majority of Mimiviridae appear to belong to this subfamily (Mimiviruses). It is sometimes also referred to as Mimiviridae group I. The second subfamily (Cafeteriavirus or Mimiviridae group II) includes the Cafeteria roenbergensis virus (CroV). The Klosneuvirinae have been proposed as a third subfamily and are divided into four "lineages": Klosneuvirus, Indivirus, Catovirus and Hokovirus. They seem to be closely related to the Mimivirus subfamily rather than the Cafeteriavirus subfamily (and so might be summarized in Mimivirus group I as well). The first isolate from this group is Bodo saltans virus infecting the kinetoplastid Bodo saltans. Tupanvirus strains have been discussed to comprise a sister group of mimiviruses. Furthermore, it has been proposed either to extend Mimiviridae by an additional tentative group III (subfamily Mesomimivirinae) or to classify this group as a sister family Mesomimiviridae instead, comprising legacy OLPG (Organic Lake Phycodna Group). This extension (or sister family) may consist of the following: Phaeocystis globosa virus (PgV, represented by PgV-16T strain) and Phaeocystis pouchetii virus (PpV, e. g. PpV 01) "Organic Lake Phycodnavirus" 1 and 2 (OLV1, OLV2, hosts of Organic Lake virophage) "Yellowstone Lake Mimivirus" aka "Yellowstone Lake Phycodnavirus" 4 (YSLGV4) Chrysochromulina ericina virus (CeV, e. g. CeV 01) Aureococcus anophagefferens virus ( AaV) Pyramimonas orientalis