“Virovores” — organisms that survive and multiply by eating viruses — might influence the flow of energy through ecosystems. The post With Nothing to Eat Except Viruses, Some Microbes Thrive first appeared on Quanta Magazine
Viruses are notorious as scourges of cellular life, destroying as ruthlessly as any predator. Yet as microbiologists are now piecing together, these killers also sometimes perish as prey. New research suggests that for some aquatic microorganisms, viruses can be a nutritious food source — delicious little bags chock-full of proteins, phosphorus and other yummy nutrients. Viruses “must be being…