economic importance, is of paramount importance. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses
are among the least understood groups of microbial pathogens, yet the group contains
known agricultural pathogens, which infect both livestock and crops (Circoviridae and
Geminiviridae), and model organisms (Microviridae). Wastewater treatment plants receive
water from multiple sources, becoming reservoirs for the collection of many viral families
that infect a large range of hosts. To examine this complex collection of viruses a novel
strategy was utilized to isolate full length genomes of circular ssDNA viruses from a sample
of wastewater from a treatment facility. Isolated genomes were amplied and sequenced
on an Illumina MiSeq. Examination of this sample has provided evidence for 84 unique
genotypic groupings, which are genetically dissimilar to know viral types, and exhibit broad
diversity within the community. Furthermore, although these genomes express similarities
to known viral families, such as Circoviridae and Geminiviridae, and Microviridae, many
are so divergent they may represent new viral families. This study demonstrated 1.) the
efficacy of the protocol for removing bacteria and large viruses from the sought after ssDNA
viruses 2.) the ability to use this protocol to obtain an in-depth analysis of the diversity
within this group and 3.) the need to determine how stable these genotypes are in this
community.