How many species of Nidovirus/Serpentovirus are there?

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     Viral taxonomy is a complicated field, with entities such as “viral quasispecies” making an actual species count essentially impossible in many cases. According to ICTV there are 7 described genera and 14 subgenera within the subfamily of Serpentovirus. Within these genera are dozens of viral species and even more strains. Additional genera, subgenera, and potentially subfamilies are likely.  However, currently viruses infecting pythons are limited to just 2 genera: Pregotovirus and Septovirus. Furthermore, viruses associated with clinical respiratory disease in captive pythons are so far limited to just the genus Pregotovirus. When reptile keepers talk about “nidovirus,” Pregotovirus is the actual genus of viruses they intend to refer to. Within this genus is large genetic diversity and host species. This genus of serpentovirus is the most well characterized, but it is still apparent multiple species and strains remain to be described. Viruses from the genus Pregotovirus are also the only serpentoviruses that have been successfully isolated (grown in lab cell cultures). ​