| Comments |
P.1 2nd paragraph: "Viruses are the most diverse and abundant biological entities in the world’s oceans, with estimates often reaching in excess of 10^8 viruses per millilitre (mL) of seawater [primary sources]. The advent of techniques such as epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry initially helped to reveal the sheer abundance of viruses in the world’s ocean, and allowed the ‘viral shunt’ to be incorporated into the classic food web scenario [refs 3,4,5,6]. Building on these observations, isolation, molecular and physiological studies have shown that marine viruses exert a great influence on nutrient and energy cycling, biogeochemistry, population dynamics, genetic exchange and evolution in the marine environment [refs 4,5]." |