Viruses as Winners in the Game of Life

Viruses are the most abundant and the most diverse life form. In this meta-analysis we estimate that there are 4.80×10 31 phages on Earth. Further, 97% of viruses are in soil and sediment-two underinvestigated biomes that combined account for only ∼2.5% of publicly available viral metagenomes. The m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of virology 2016-09, Vol.3 (1), p.197-214
Main Authors: Cobián Güemes, Ana Georgina, Youle, Merry, Cantú, Vito Adrian, Felts, Ben, Nulton, James, Rohwer, Forest
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteriophages - classification
Bacteriophages - genetics
biogeography
DNA Viruses - classification
DNA Viruses - genetics
Genome, Viral - genetics
Geologic Sediments - virology
Metagenome - genetics
metagenomics
phage abundance
phage diversity
phage ecology
RNA Viruses - classification
RNA Viruses - genetics
Soil Microbiology
viruses
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Summary:Viruses are the most abundant and the most diverse life form. In this meta-analysis we estimate that there are 4.80×10 31 phages on Earth. Further, 97% of viruses are in soil and sediment-two underinvestigated biomes that combined account for only ∼2.5% of publicly available viral metagenomes. The majority of the most abundant viral sequences from all biomes are novel. Our analysis drawing on all publicly available viral metagenomes observed a mere 257,698 viral genotypes on Earth-an unrealistically low number-which attests to the current paucity of viral metagenomic data. Further advances in viral ecology and diversity call for a shift of attention to previously ignored major biomes and careful application of verified methods for viral metagenomic analysis.
ISSN:2327-056X
2327-0578
DOI:10.1146/annurev-virology-100114-054952