Scientists find ancient giant viruses in Yellowstone's hot springs

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

Story highlights

Through the examination of ancient viruses, scientists can enhance their comprehension of the evolutionary trajectory and environmental influences that molded the genesis of life on Earth.

Scientists have made an unbelievable finding in Yellowstone National Park: "giant" viruses that date back an astounding 1.5 billion years.

The word "giant" describes their extraordinarily large genomes in comparison to viruses that are more common. Despite their name, they pose no threat to people.

Rather, these giant viruses offer important insights regarding a time when Earth's first single-cell creatures were beginning to appear. They aid in the understanding of the conditions and mechanisms that shaped the earliest stages of life.

Through the examination of ancient viruses, scientists can enhance their comprehension of the evolutionary trajectory and environmental influences that molded the genesis of life on Earth.

The hot springs of Yellowstone are like living fossils—relics from a time when the planet was far harsher. These ancient viruses have survived for generations despite the severe circumstances in these settings, which include blistering temperatures, high pressures, and deadly elements such as arsenic.

The Lemonade Creek hot spring in Yellowstone, which reaches temperatures of around 111 degrees Fahrenheit, was the source of DNA samples for analysis by the researchers. They discovered sequences of bacteria, algae, and archaea that supported an astounding 3,700 potential viruses, of which two-thirds were giant viruses.

To survive amid the heat and toxicity of these hot springs, the bacteria and archaea have been borrowing genes from one another for billions of years. The evolution and diversification of the viruses, made possible by this mechanism of gene exchange, are vital to the long-term stability of the hot spring ecosystems.

(With inputs from agencies)