Distribution of virus-like Particles in an Oligotrophic Marine Environment (Alboran Sea,Western Mediterranean) |
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Authors: | Alonso MC Jimenez-Gomez F Rodriguez J Borrego JJ |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071-Malaga, Spain, ES;(2) Department of Ecology, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Jaen, Spain, ES;(3) Department of Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071-Malaga, Spain, ES |
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Abstract: | Viruses are abundant in a variety of aquatic environments, often exceeding bacterial abundance by one order of magnitude.
In the present study, the spatial distribution of viruses in offshore waters of the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean) have
been studied to determine the relationships between viruses and host communities in this oligotrophic marine environment.
Viral abundance was determined using two methods: (i) epifluorescence light microscopy using the dsDNA binding fluorochrome
DAPI, and (ii) direct counts by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results obtained were significantly different;
the highest viral counts were obtained by mean of TEM analyses. In all the samples tested the number of viruses was exceeded
by the bacterial concentrations, with a ratio between viral and bacterial titers varying between 1.4 and 20. VLP (virus-like
particle) counts were not significantly correlated (p > 0.001) with chlorophyll a concentration or the abundance of cyanobacteria.
However, there was a positive and significant correlation with bacterial abundance (p < 0.001). The analysis of size and morphology
of viral particles by TEM and the correlation obtained between the numbers of VLP and bacteria suggest that the majority of
the viral particles in the Alboran Sea are bacteriophages. None of the indirect evidence suggested that eukaryotic algae or
cyanobacteria were important host organisms in these waters. |
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