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Abstract

Bacteriophages are found wherever microbial
life is present and play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems.
They mediate microbial abundance, production,
respiration, diversity, genetic transfer, nutrient cycling and
particle size distribution. Most studies of bacteriophage
ecology have been undertaken at temperate latitudes. Data
on bacteriophages in polar inland waters are scant but the
indications are that they play an active and dynamic role in
these microbially dominated polar ecosystems. This review
summarises what is presently known about polar inland
bacteriophages, ranging from subglacial Antarctic lakes to
glacial ecosystems in the Arctic. The review examines
interactions between bacteriophages and their hosts and the
abiotic and biotic variables that influence these interactions
in polar inland waters. In addition, we consider the
proportion of the bacteria in Arctic and Antarctic lake and
glacial waters that are lysogenic and visibly infected with
viruses. We assess the relevance of bacteriophages in the
microbial loop in the extreme environments of Antarctic
and Arctic inland waters with an emphasis on carbon
cycling.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Säwström, C and Lisle, J and Anesio, AM and Priscu, JC and Laybourn-Parry, J
Keywords:	Bacteriophage Bacteria Arctic Antarctic Carbon cycling Lysogeny Polar inland waters Review
Journal or Publication Title:	Extremophiles
ISSN:	1431-0651
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-007-0134-6
Additional Information:	The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com
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