[2][3][4] This virus was isolated from a hot spring in the Rabbit Creek thermal area which is located in the Midway Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park.

At the 12 fivefold symmetrical positions of the icosahedron protrude 'turrets' that extend 13 nanometers (nm) above the capsid surface.

The function of this channel is not known but it may provide access between the interior and exterior of the virion.

[citation needed] The genome is circular double stranded DNA 17.663 kilobases in length with 36 open reading frames.

[citation needed] Unlike other viruses that either lyse or bud from their hosts this virus induces a unique pyramid-like structure on the surface of the host from which it buds.