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VIROVORE

6th January, 2023

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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.

https://theprint.in/science/livin-la-vida-virovore-scientists-find-1st-microscopic-organism-that-feasts-on-viruses/1295689/