Host-virus dynamics of a novel algal virus system

藻类是水生生态系统的引擎，将无机物转化为有机物并为水生食物网提供燃料。它们的生长通过支持或阻碍有益的人类利用而影响水生环境的生产力和环境质量;例如，通过维持渔业，或形成有害的水华。几十年前，科学家们发现感染藻类的病毒几乎存在于所有的水生环境中，并且这些病原体中的大多数是物种特异性的，并导致宿主的溶解或死亡。这些发现提出了许多关于病毒对水生初级生产的影响及其在藻类生态和进化中的作用的问题。此后的研究让我们了解了病毒在水生生态系统中的重要性，但许多基本问题仍未得到解答。

Algae are the engines of aquatic ecosystems that convert inorganic matter into organic and fuel aquatic food webs. Their growth influences the productivity of aquatic environments, and also environmental quality by either supporting or impeding beneficial human use; e.g., by sustaining fisheries, or forming nuisance blooms. A couple of decades ago, scientists discovered that viruses infecting algae are present in nearly all aquatic environments, and that most of these pathogens are species-specific and cause the lysis, or death, of their hosts. These discoveries raised many questions about the influence of viruses on aquatic primary production and their role in algal ecology and evolution. Research since has taught us much about the importance of virus in aquatic ecosystems, but many fundamental questions remain unanswered.