Dinoflagellates, diatoms, and their viruses

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Virology
• Microbial Ecology

Background:

• Marine viruses, previously overlooked, are abundant and ecologically significant.
• Eukaryotic microalgae, including dinoflagellates and diatoms, form major components of marine ecosystems.
• Understanding virus-host interactions is crucial for marine ecosystem dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on marine viruses infecting eukaryotic microalgae.
• To focus on viruses infecting bloom-forming dinoflagellates and diatoms.
• To explore the ecological roles and taxonomic uniqueness of these marine viruses.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of isolated and characterized marine algal viruses.
• Focus on specific examples: dinoflagellate-infecting viruses (HcV, HcRNAV) and diatom-infecting viruses.
• Analysis of ecological relationships and taxonomic novelty.

Main Results:

• Approximately 40 viruses infecting marine eukaryotic algae have been identified.
• Cultured viruses include dsDNA (HcV) and ssRNA (HcRNAV) infecting Heterocapsa circularisquama.
• Diatom-infecting viruses identified in Rhizosolenia setigera and Chaetoceros species.

Conclusions:

• Viral infection significantly impacts the population dynamics of marine diatoms.
• Dinoflagellate and diatom-infecting viruses exhibit unique taxonomic features.
• The ocean likely harbors a vast diversity of novel viruses with important ecological functions.