Bacteriophage in polar inland waters

Extremophiles
By: , and 

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Abstract

Bacteriophages are found wherever microbial life is present and play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems. They mediate microbial abundance, production, respiration, diversity, genetic transfer, nutrient cycling and particle size distribution. Most studies of bacteriophage ecology have been undertaken at temperate latitudes. Data on bacteriophages in polar inland waters are scant but the indications are that they play an active and dynamic role in these microbially dominated polar ecosystems. This review summarises what is presently known about polar inland bacteriophages, ranging from subglacial Antarctic lakes to glacial ecosystems in the Arctic. The review examines interactions between bacteriophages and their hosts and the abiotic and biotic variables that influence these interactions in polar inland waters. In addition, we consider the proportion of the bacteria in Arctic and Antarctic lake and glacial waters that are lysogenic and visibly infected with viruses. We assess the relevance of bacteriophages in the microbial loop in the extreme environments of Antarctic and Arctic inland waters with an emphasis on carbon cycling.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Bacteriophage in polar inland waters
Series title Extremophiles
DOI 10.1007/s00792-007-0134-6
Volume 12
Issue 2
Year Published 2008
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 9 p.
First page 167
Last page 175
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