Scientists have recently uncovered the existence of an unique organism, which they dub as the “Virovore.” This remarkable microorganism subsists entirely on consuming viruses, reshaping our perception of the part viruses play in the microscopic food chain. The newly discovered Virovore is a species of protist, specifically Halteria, which thrive in freshwater environments globally.
The Enigmatic Virovore
Virovores are classified under protists, entities forming their own kingdom in the tree of life. Unlike commonly known life forms such as animals, plants, or fungi, these species have a unique trait – they feast on viruses. Virovores have been identified to be a variant of the Halteria species, microscopic ciliates that inhabit freshwater worldwide.
Halteria: The Virus-Eating Microbe
The marine microbe Halteria, distinguished for its virus-eating characteristic, is renowned for its mobility, moving around with the help of hair-like structures called cilia. This propelling movement facilitates their search for food. The composition of these protists includes nucleic acids, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Virovores and Chloroviruses
One of the key characteristics of Virovores is their ability to consume vast quantities of infectious chloroviruses that coexist within their aquatic habitat. Chloroviruses are infamous for their ability to infect green algae at a microscopic scale.
Growth and Sustainability
Despite their microscopic size, these organisms have the astounding capacity to sustain themselves purely on viruses. This consumption results in their growth in size and even population proliferation. This unusual dietary behavior, consuming viruses solely, is referred to as “virovory.”
The discovery of Virovores dramatically impacts the existing understanding of the microscopic food chain. Furthermore, it opens up doors to new research possibilities to fully comprehend the role and impact of viruses in our ecosystem.
