Viral ecogenomics across oxic and anoxic zones of the Yongle Blue Hole.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Deep ocean blue holes are characterized by distinct physicochemical gradients and complex biological processes, and Yongle Blue Hole (YBH) in the South China Sea (SCS) is the world's deepest (301 m) underwater cavern with unique environmental characteristics. So far, studies investigated the bacterial community structure with different lifestyles of the YBH; however, our understanding of viruses in the YBH remains limited. Here, we utilized a metagenomic approach to investigate viral communities in both the "viral fraction" and "cellular fraction" of seawater samples in oxic and anoxic zones within YBH.

Results

A total of 1,730 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) were identified, with over 70% affiliated with the classes Caudoviricetes and Megaviricetes, par

SUBMITTER: Yang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12482060 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature