Fraction of total bacterial mortality in various aquatic ecosystems that phages are responsible for

Range 10 - 80 %
Organism Biosphere
Reference Letarov A, Kulikov E. The bacteriophages in human- and animal body-associated microbial communities. J Appl Microbiol. 2009 Jul107(1):1-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04143.x. p.1 right column bottom paragraphPubMed ID19239553
Primary Source Weinbauer, M. (2004) Ecology of procaryotic viruses. FEMS Microbiol Rev 28, 127–181.PubMed ID15109783
Comments P.1 right column bottom paragraph: "In vivo the composition of bacterial communities can be controlled by the action of the immune system, by macro-host nutrition physiological effects, and also by ‘natural enemies’ of bacteria such as phagotrophic protozoa or bacteriophages. Phages are responsible for 10–80% of total bacterial mortality in various aquatic ecosystems, and represent a significant factor limiting bacterial populations (reviewed in primary source). As a consequence of these actions, phages exert significant influence on the structure, activity, temporal dynamics and biological diversity of microbial communities."
Entered by Uri M
ID 112500