Marine Virology

Viruses primarily act as parasites, infecting and lysing marine organisms, including phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish.

Bacteriophage, phytophage, and zoophage are types of marine viruses that infect bacteria, phytoplankton, and zooplankton, respectively. Mycophage is not a type of marine virus.

Viral lysis is the process by which viruses infect and lyse marine organisms, resulting in the release of viral progeny.

Marine viruses can have various impacts on marine ecosystems, including regulation of phytoplankton populations, release of organic matter, and contribution to nutrient cycling. However, they generally do not enhance primary productivity.

Viral transduction is the process by which genetic material is transferred from one organism to another by a virus.

Generalized transduction, specialized transduction, and lateral transduction are types of viral transduction. Lytic transduction is not a type of viral transduction.

Viral shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse phytoplankton, leading to a decrease in phytoplankton biomass and an increase in bacterial abundance.

The viral shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of bacterial growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased primary productivity.

Bacterial shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse bacteria, leading to a decrease in bacterial abundance and an increase in phytoplankton biomass.

The bacterial shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of phytoplankton growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased bacterial abundance.

Zooplankton shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse zooplankton, leading to a decrease in zooplankton biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass.

The zooplankton shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of phytoplankton growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased zooplankton abundance.

Fish shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse fish, leading to a decrease in fish biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass.

The fish shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of phytoplankton growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased fish abundance.

Marine mammal shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse marine mammals, leading to a decrease in marine mammal biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass.

The marine mammal shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of phytoplankton growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased marine mammal abundance.