Viruses in Antarctic lakes.
Water samples collected from four perennially ice-covered Antarctic lakes during the austral summer of 1996-1997 contained high densities of extracellular viruses. Many of these viruses were found to be morphologically similar to double-stranded DNA viruses that are known to infect algae and protozoa. These constitute the first observations of viruses in perennially ice-covered polar lakes. The abundance of planktonic viruses and data suggesting substantial production potential (relative to bacteria] secondary and photosynthetic primary production) indicate that viral lysis may be a major factor in the regulation of microbial populations in these extreme environments. Furthermore, we suggest that Antarctic lakes may be a reservoir of previously undescribed viruses that possess novel biological and biochemical characteristics.
Kepner
R L
RL
Biological Sciences Center, Desert Research Institute, Reno, Nevada 89506, USA.
Wharton
R A
RA
Suttle
C A
CA
D000864:Antarctic Regions; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D018533:Biomass; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013936:Thymidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid; D014713:Viruses, Unclassified / Q000254:growth & development*; D014871:Water Microbiology
D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid; C012439:methylthymidine; D013936:Thymidine