Lymphocystis virus of fish is another member and elicits white clusters of giant cells (pinhead size) on the fins and skin of affected fish, which recover after several months.

Other iridoviruses have recently been shown to cause mass mortality of frogs in UK ponds and carp gill necrosis. Their effect on endangered amphibians is of concern.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the member of veterinary importance. It is being moved into its own family because it is larger and more complex than the other viruses.

Morphology:

The iridoviridae are large enveloped icosahedral cytoplasmic deoxyriboviruses.

Physico-chemical properties:

They resist 56^OC for 2 hours. ASFV remains on infected promises for several months.