Taxonomic distribution of large DNA viruses in the sea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Viruses are ubiquitous and the most abundant biological entities in marine environments. Metagenomics studies are increasingly revealing the huge genetic diversity of marine viruses. In this study, we used a new approach--'phylogenetic mapping'--to obtain a comprehensive picture of the taxonomic distribution of large DNA viruses represented in the Sorcerer II Global Ocean Sampling Expedition metagenomic data set.

Results

Using DNA polymerase genes as a taxonomic marker, we identified 811 homologous sequences of likely viral origin. As expected, most of these sequences corresponded to phages. Interestingly, the second largest viral group corresponded to that containing mimivirus and three related algal viruses. We also identified several DNA polymerase homologs clo

SUBMITTER: Monier A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2530865 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature