biostudies-literatureChase EEJoint Genome InstituteEC | Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (H2020)EC | Horizon 2020 Framework ProgrammeJoint Genome Institute (JGI)e0280324https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11633385biostudies-literatureUnknown15(12)This study explores virus-host dynamics in a unique environment: an industrial high-rate algal pond (HRAP). A wealth of novel DNA algal viruses are revealed, including members of <i>Nucleocytoviricota</i> "giant viruses" and the enigmatic <i>Preplasmiviricota</i> (e.g., virophages and polinton-like viruses). Several species of single-celled eukaryotic photosynthetic algae are identified (Chlorophyta) as putative hosts, with alternating dominant populations during the year of study. We specifically observe a surprising diversity of giant viruses from the family <i>Phycodnaviridae</i> (<i>Nucleocytoviricota</i>), including phylogenetically related but highly diversified genotypes appearing in the HRAP that we suggest are implicated in bloom collapse. We hypothesize that these related <i>PhycmBioViral dynamics in a high-rate algal pond reveals a burst of <i>Phycodnaviridae</i> diversity correlated with episodic algal mortality.PMC11633385project 504991No71375Triplet SPitot TGobet ABlanc GPrzybyla CBouchard SDesnues CChase EEfalseViral dynamics in a high-rate algal pond reveals a burst of <i>Phycodnaviridae</i> diversity correlated with episodic algal mortality.This study explores virus-host dynamics in a unique environment: an industrial high-rate algal pond (HRAP). A wealth of novel DNA algal viruses are revealed, including members of <i>Nucleocytoviricota</i> "giant viruses" and the enigmatic <i>Preplasmiviricota</i> (e.g., virophages and polinton-like viruses). Several species of single-celled eukaryotic photosynthetic algae are identified (Chlorophyta) as putative hosts, with alternating dominant populations during the year of study. We specifically observe a surprising diversity of giant viruses from the family <i>Phycodnaviridae</i> (<i>Nucleocytoviricota</i>), including phylogenetically related but highly diversified genotypes appearing in the HRAP that we suggest are implicated in bloom collapse. We hypothesize that these related <i>Phyc2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Dec2026-06-01T17:37:39.364Z2025-04-06T00:34:10.479ZS-EPMC116333853953068810.1128/mbio.02803-24