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

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Wilson, William H., Lane, Daniel, Pearce, David A., Ellis-Evans, J. Cynan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Springer 2000
• Subjects: Antarctic; South Orkney Islands; Signy Island; Antarc*; Antarctica; Polar Biology
• Online Access: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/502608/; https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000000152

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.