Virus predation by sponges is a new nutrient-flow pathway in coral reef food webs

Hadas, Eran, Dominique Marie, Muki Shpigel, Micha Ilan

Limnol. Oceanogr., 51(3), 2006, 1548-1550 | DOI: 10.4319/lo.2006.51.3.1548

ABSTRACT: The removal efficiency of viral particles by the coral reef sponge Negombata magnifica was measured. Virus particles were removed by the sponge at an average efficiency of 23.3% ± 2.9%. Significant amounts of nutrients are transported from virus particles to higher trophic levels via sponges.