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Viruses manipulate the marine environment

Nature volume 459, pages 207–212 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Marine viruses affect Bacteria, Archaea and eukaryotic organisms and are major components of the marine food web. Most studies have focused on their role as predators and parasites, but many of the interactions between marine viruses and their hosts are much more complicated. A series of recent studies has shown that viruses have the ability to manipulate the life histories and evolution of their hosts in remarkable ways, challenging our understanding of this almost invisible world.

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Figure 1: Effects of marine viruses on their hosts.
Figure 2: Library of recently discovered marine viruses.
Figure 3: Viruses that alter the life cycle of solar-powered slugs.

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  1. Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, 92182, California, USA

    Forest Rohwer & Rebecca Vega Thurber

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st street, North Miami, 33181, Florida, USA

    Rebecca Vega Thurber

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Rohwer, F., Thurber, R. Viruses manipulate the marine environment. Nature 459, 207–212 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08060

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