Scientists can only speculate why giant viruses might form tubular, bristly or turtlelike appendages. Still, looking at the structures Fischer’s team identified, microbiologist Frederik Schulz of the Joint Genome Institute in Berkeley, Calif., says he’s “convinced that many of these are actual virus particles.” The researchers have seen the particles only with a microscope they haven’t confirmed that the potential viruses can infect particular organisms. Using transmission electron microscopy, his team analyzed about half a kilogram of soil from Harvard Forest in Petersham, Mass., to produce an image gallery of giant virus diversity - potentially.įischer is careful not to call the virus look-alikes “viruses” just yet. The new work could help change that, Fischer says. At this point, he says, “it’s all speculation.” M.G. Or perhaps they’re used as something entirely different: a kind of flotation device, says virologist Matthias Fischer. If the tubes are hollow, it’s possible a virus could use them for injection or suction. One group of potential giant viruses comes in the “gorgon” shape (shown), with long tubular-looking structures around a central shell.That kind of candy-coated viral shell might entice amoebic hosts to consume the virus. The fibers often have sugar molecules, making for a potentially sweet exterior. Many of the giant viruslike particles discovered - such as one dubbed “haircut” (shown) - have fibers attached to their exteriors.Fischer says he “has absolutely no idea what these flaps are doing.” It’s possible they are extended openings of some sort. Some of the viruslike particles that virologist Matthias Fischer and colleagues identified resemble a turtle (one shown), with flaps that appear to protrude from the corners of its purported shell.
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