The Marine Viromes of Four Oceanic Regions

The Marine Viromes of Four Oceanic Regions

November 7, 2006 | Florent E. Angly1,2, Ben Felts2,3, Mya Breitbart1, Peter Salamon2,3, Robert A. Edwards1,2,4,5, Craig Carlson6, Amy M. Chan7, Matthew Haynes1, Scott Kelley1,4, Hong Liu1, Joseph M. Mahaffy2,3, Jennifer E. Mueller1, Jim Nulton2,3, Robert Olson8, Rachel Parsons9, Steve Rayhawk1,2, Curtis A. Suttle7,10,11, Forest Rohwer1,4*
This study investigates the marine viromes of four oceanic regions: the Sargasso Sea, Gulf of Mexico, British Columbia, and Arctic Ocean. Using metagenomic analysis of 184 viral assemblages collected over a decade, the researchers found that most viral sequences were not similar to those in current databases, indicating high global diversity. The marine regions had distinct viral assemblages, with cyanophages and a new clade of single-stranded DNA phages dominating the Sargasso Sea, while prophage-like sequences were most common in the Arctic. However, most viral species were widespread, with shared species between regions explaining most differences. The study supports the idea that viruses are widely dispersed, with local environmental conditions enriching certain viral types through selective pressure. The marine viromes showed a distinct "marine-ness" quality, with high diversity and regional richness varying on a north-south latitudinal gradient. The Sargasso Sea sample had the highest percentage of known similarities to the SEED database, while the Arctic sample had the lowest. The study also identified an abundant marine ssDNA phage group in the Sargasso Sea, which was previously overlooked due to amplification and cloning methods excluding ssDNA viruses. The results suggest that certain phage groups are more prevalent in specific biogeographic regions. The study used various bioinformatics methods to analyze the viral metagenomes, including phylogenetic similarity tests, isolation by distance analysis, and cross-contig spectrum analysis. These methods indicated that marine viral assemblages have a significant phylogenetic overlap, with some viruses being widespread and others being region-specific. The study also found that viral diversity varied according to latitude, with higher richness at lower latitudes. The study highlights the importance of considering both local and global diversity in marine viral communities. While some viruses are endemic to specific regions, the majority are widespread and shared between oceanic regions. The findings suggest that marine viruses are not uniformly distributed but are influenced by environmental factors, with local conditions shaping the prevalence of certain viral types. The study also emphasizes the need for further research into the role of viruses in marine ecosystems, including their interactions with host communities and their contribution to global viral diversity.This study investigates the marine viromes of four oceanic regions: the Sargasso Sea, Gulf of Mexico, British Columbia, and Arctic Ocean. Using metagenomic analysis of 184 viral assemblages collected over a decade, the researchers found that most viral sequences were not similar to those in current databases, indicating high global diversity. The marine regions had distinct viral assemblages, with cyanophages and a new clade of single-stranded DNA phages dominating the Sargasso Sea, while prophage-like sequences were most common in the Arctic. However, most viral species were widespread, with shared species between regions explaining most differences. The study supports the idea that viruses are widely dispersed, with local environmental conditions enriching certain viral types through selective pressure. The marine viromes showed a distinct "marine-ness" quality, with high diversity and regional richness varying on a north-south latitudinal gradient. The Sargasso Sea sample had the highest percentage of known similarities to the SEED database, while the Arctic sample had the lowest. The study also identified an abundant marine ssDNA phage group in the Sargasso Sea, which was previously overlooked due to amplification and cloning methods excluding ssDNA viruses. The results suggest that certain phage groups are more prevalent in specific biogeographic regions. The study used various bioinformatics methods to analyze the viral metagenomes, including phylogenetic similarity tests, isolation by distance analysis, and cross-contig spectrum analysis. These methods indicated that marine viral assemblages have a significant phylogenetic overlap, with some viruses being widespread and others being region-specific. The study also found that viral diversity varied according to latitude, with higher richness at lower latitudes. The study highlights the importance of considering both local and global diversity in marine viral communities. While some viruses are endemic to specific regions, the majority are widespread and shared between oceanic regions. The findings suggest that marine viruses are not uniformly distributed but are influenced by environmental factors, with local conditions shaping the prevalence of certain viral types. The study also emphasizes the need for further research into the role of viruses in marine ecosystems, including their interactions with host communities and their contribution to global viral diversity.
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