Previously only about 15k ocean viruses were known to exist.
The samples containing the viruses were collected by the vessel Tara between 2009 and 2013 and analyzed for everything from organisms as small as viruses to as large as fish eggs.
Analysis showed the viruses were organized into five ecological zones. To the researchers surprise the Arctic Ocean was a hotbed of biodiversity.
“Having a more complete picture of marine viral distribution and abundance will help us to determine which viruses we should be focusing on for further studies.”
