
%0 Journal Article
%A Pollard, Peter 
%T How viruses control microbial ecosystems
%J Microbiology Australia
%D 2007/09/01
%V 28
%N 3
%P 115-117
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/MA07115
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MA07115 
%X Viruses are the most abundant nucleic acid containing biological parcel on earth, being ten times more than bacteria and archaea. Most are phage (infect bacteria), have a genome of DNA or RNA, and are encapsulated in a protein coat at concentrations of 1010/L in aquatic environments. The planet holds 1031 viruses inthe oceans alone and their biomass equals 200 Mt of carbon or 75 million blue whales. Stretched end-to-end they would span 10 million light years. They are obligate parasites and without doubt a pervasive influence on microbial ecosystems. 
