| Abstract |
Marine viruses are the most abundant life-forms in the ocean and exist wherever life is found. The estimated virus count in the ocean is 10301030Open image in new window, and every second about 10231023Open image in new windowviral infections occur in the ocean. These infections are a major source of disease and mortality in organisms ranging from shrimp to whales. Each infection potentially introduces new genetic information into an organism or into progeny viruses. These new genetic changes allow evolution of the host and virus population. Viruses represent the planet’s largest pool of genetic diversity. Our understanding of the impact of viruses on global systems, however, is still incomplete. This chapter will present a general review of marine viruses; their impact on marine organisms, such as cyanobacteria, mollusks, and more detailed about shrimp viruses, diagnostics and the control of shrimp viral diseases. |
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