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On the astrobiological relevance of viruses in extraterrestrial ecosystems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2009

Matti Jalasvuori ,
Anni-Maria Örmälä  and
Jaana K.H. Bamford
Matti Jalasvuori*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, P.O. Box 35, 40014University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
Anni-Maria Örmälä
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, P.O. Box 35, 40014University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
Jaana K.H. Bamford
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Nanoscience Center, P.O. Box 35, 40014University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
*
e-mail: matti.jalasvuori@jyu.fi
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Abstract

Viruses are the dominant form of genetically reproducing entities on Earth. Yet, viruses are mostly neglected in the context of astrobiology due to their non-living nature. In this discussion it is considered whether viruses are likely to be transferred within bacterial endospores to other planetary bodies through lithopanspermia. Interestingly, it seems possible that ecosystems of panspermial origin might yield biospheres in which viruses are absent. The evolutionary pathway of life in these systems might differ significantly from the path observed on Earth. We hypothesize that the difference in the two potential ways for the emergence of life, those being panspermial or local origin, on any certain planet could be clarified by analyzing the diversity of virosphere on the planet. The use of viruses as putative biomarkers is also discussed and studied.

Keywords

biomarkersendosporespanspermiaviruses
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , April 2009 , pp. 95 - 100
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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