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Unraveling the Unseen Players in the Ocean - A Field Guide to Water Chemistry and Marine Microbiology
Published on: November 5, 2014
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Heterotrophic Prokaryote Host-Virus Dynamics During Spring in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.
Yean Das1, Corina P D Brussaard2,3, Kristina D A Mojica1
1Division of Marine Science, School of Ocean Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, Hancock County, MS 39529, USA.
Microorganisms
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Marine viruses (V1 and V2) target distinct heterotrophic prokaryote (HP) populations (HNA and LNA) across North Atlantic regions. Virus-prey dynamics and lysogeny varied with HP growth, impacting carbon flux.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbial ecology
- Oceanography
- Virology
Background:
- Heterotrophic prokaryotes (HP) exist as high (HNA) and low (LNA) nucleic acid subpopulations.
- These HP groups exhibit different ecological roles and susceptibility to viral predation.
- Understanding viral dynamics and host interactions is crucial for marine carbon cycling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and ecological roles of HNA and LNA cells.
- To analyze viral subpopulations (V1 and V2) and their interactions with HP.
- To determine the prevalence and drivers of lysogeny in HP communities across a latitudinal gradient.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry for HP subpopulation analysis.
- Assessment of HP abundance, production, and viral mortality.
- Sampling across distinct North Atlantic regions (Pre-bloom, Bloom, Oligotrophic).
- Multivariant analysis to correlate environmental factors with microbial and viral populations.
Main Results:
- HP and viral subpopulations were structured by regional bio-physicochemical properties.
- V1 viruses correlated with HNA cells in stratified waters; V2 viruses correlated with LNA cells.
- Lysogeny increased with HP growth rate up to a threshold, then declined, influenced by V1 viruses.
Conclusions:
- Distinct viral strategies (V1 vs. V2) target specific HP populations (HNA vs. LNA).
- Environmental conditions significantly influence HP-virus dynamics and lysogeny.
- These interactions have implications for carbon flux in marine ecosystems.
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