Diversity among Tacaribe serocomplex viruses (Family Arenaviridae) associated with the southern plains woodrat (Neotoma micropus).

•Middle Pease River virus is a novel North American member of the family Arenaviridae.•The southern plains woodrat (Neotoma micropus) in Texas is the principal host of Middle Pease River virus.•There is a high level of genetic diversity among arenaviruses associated with N. micropus in the United States.