| Virion |
Spherical virions (36–43 nm in diameter) with an outer envelope containing envelope proteins derived from a helper virus and an inner ribonucleoprotein consisting of genomic RNA and a nucleocapsid protein (delta antigen; DAg) that is encoded by the genomic RNA and may occur in two isoforms |
| Genome |
Rod-like ribozyme-containing negative-sense, covalently closed, circular RNA (cccRNA) of about 1.5–1.7 kb |
| Replication |
RNA-directed RNA synthesis by host-cell DNA-directed RNA polymerase II through a double rolling circle mechanism, and autocatalytic cleavage/ligation via encoded genomic and antigenomic ribozymes and re-cyclization in the host-cell nucleus |
| Translation |
mRNA-based translation of DAg (in some cases including an isoform thereof) |
| Host range |
Mammals, amphibians, birds, fish, insects and reptiles |
| Taxonomy |
Realm Ribozyviria; the family includes >7 genera and >14 species |
