Phylogenetic Diversity of T4-Type Phages in Sediments from the Subtropical Pearl River Estuary.

ABSTRACT: Viruses are an abundant and active component of marine sediments and play a significant role in microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycling at local and global scales. To obtain a better understanding of the ecological characteristics of the viriobenthos, the abundance and morphology of viruses and the diversity and community structure of T4-type phages were systematically investigated in the surface sediments of the subtropical Pearl River Estuary (PRE). Viral abundances ranged from 4.49 × 10⁸ to 11.7 × 10⁸ viruses/g and prokaryotic abundances ranged from 2.63 × 10⁸ to 9.55 × 10⁸ cells/g, and both decreased from freshwater to saltwater. Diverse viral morphotypes, including tailed, spherical, filamentous, and rod-shaped viruses, were observed us

SUBMITTER: He M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5436276 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature