About VIROVORE (UPSC)

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Context

The first known “virovore”- an organism that eats viruses- has been found, researchers claimed.

Details

Scientists found that a species of Halteria - which are microscopic ciliates that populate freshwater throughout the world - can eat huge numbers of infectious chloroviruses. Both share an aquatic habitat, according to a study.
Virovores can sustain themselves with viruses, consuming many and growing in size.
These virus-eating species of protists — which are their own kingdom on the tree of life and are not an animal, plants, or fungi — are now classified as virovores.
For the first time, the team's laboratory tests have also demonstrated that a virus-only diet, or "virovory," is sufficient to support an organism's physiological growth and even population increase.