Biologists surprised to find parochial bacterial viruses

User rating: 4.5 / 5 after 20 vote(s)

Bacteria in the pozas form coral-like stromatolites that are geologically identical to 3.5 billion-year-old fossils that are believed to be the oldest evidence of life on Earth. Credit: Tommy LaVergneRice University
Bacteria in the pozas form coral-like "stromatolites" that are geologically identical to 3.5 billion-year-old fossils that are believed to be the oldest evidence of life on Earth. Credit: Tommy LaVergne/Rice University

Biologists examining ecosystems similar to those that existed on Earth more than 3 billion years ago have made a surprising discovery: Viruses that infect bacteria are sometimes parochial and unrelated to their counterparts in other regions of the globe.


Full story »
All News summaries from General Science news
All News summaries for March 04, 2008
Goto Archive PhysOrg Forum Goto Archive Video Goto Archive Editorials Goto Archive Free Magazines Goto Archive Newsletter

News Archive