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Transmission electron microscope analysis of virus-like particles in the freshwater lakes of Signy Island, Antarctica

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Abstract

Water samples from a range of fresh-water Antarctic lakes on Signy Island (South Orkney Islands: 60°45′S, 45 °38′W) were examined for the presence of virus-like particles (VLPs) during the 1998/1999 field season. It was discovered that VLPs were ubiquitous, morphologically diverse and abundant, with high concentrations ranging from 4.9 × 106 ml−1 to 3.1 × 107 ml−1. Likely hosts include bacteria, cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae. In addition, an unusually large virus morphotype was observed with a head diameter 370 × 330 nm and a tail 1.3 μm long.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK e-mail: whw@mba.ac.uk Tel.: +44-1752-633356, Fax: +44-1752-633102, , , , , , GB

    William H. Wilson & Daniel Lane

  2. British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK, , , , , , GB

    David A. Pearce & J. Cynan Ellis-Evans

Authors
  1. William H. Wilson
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  2. Daniel Lane
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  3. David A. Pearce
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  4. J. Cynan Ellis-Evans
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Accepted: 15 May 2000

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Wilson, W., Lane, D., Pearce, D. et al. Transmission electron microscope analysis of virus-like particles in the freshwater lakes of Signy Island, Antarctica. Polar Biol 23, 657–660 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000000152

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000000152

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