The researchers state that viruses are the most abundant biological entities in marine environments and there can be over 150 million viruses in a single glass of ocean water. Just like humans, aquatic species face the risk of viral outbreaks that can significantly reduce the size of populations. However, little is known about how aquatic animals impact the number of viruses that are floating around.
The study found that certain sea animals can change their physical environments and many species are able to keep the number of marine viruses in balance. The researchers looked at the roles of several marine species that cannot be infected by the viruses, such as anemones, crabs, oysters, and sponges.
The data revealed that in a 24 hour period, 90 per cent of viruses were reduced by crabs, 43 per cent by cockles, and 98 per cent by sponges. Analysis of the animals’ behaviours found that these species ingest virus particles they eat food such as algae or when they’re simplifying extracting oxygen from the water to breathe.
The researchers say that studying the ways that sea animals manage the abundance of viruses in the ocean is important because it allows for more accurate predictions of how viruses will impact population dynamics. Viral outbreaks can sweep through aquatic farms, but this could be better managed with the addition of sea animals that can lower the presence of viruses, such as sponges.. . [ca.news.yahoo.com]
Marine viruses are extremely important to all life on earth. The bacteriophage (virus) - bacteria balance is crucial to maintain a stable bacterial population in the sea.
Bacteria is the beginning of all food chains and control oxygen and pH is sea and therefore also oxygen and CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
We have discovered this the past few years.