Sequencing of Australian Grapevine Viroid and Yellow Speckle Viroid isolated from a Tunisian grapevine without passage in an indicator plant

We report the nucleotide sequences of Australian Grapevine Viroid and Grapevine Yellow Speckle Viroid (type 1) isolated from grapevine trees in a Tunisian vineyard. Our data confirm the worldwide spread of these viroids and record their occurrence in Africa. This is the first description of Australian Grapevine Viroid sequences isolated from its natural host. Moreover, the sequences of these new natural variants suggests that the previous use of an indicator plant to amplify a viroid does not alter its nucleotide composition. In addition, we also present several new features of these two distinct quasi-species.