Viruses in Antarctic Habitats: Occurrence and Ecological Importance

The review describes the spreading of viruses in Antarctic ecosystems including terrestrial, marine, and freshwater habitats. The great attention is paid to virus infections in Antarctic animal and plant populations. Observation on viruses in Antarctic ecosystems might contribute for their diversity and systematics, as well as for viral ecology. Comparison of the detected viruses with the well-known viruses, using modern methods, reveals some structural differences in their nucleic acids and proteins. Several new virus species unknown in temperate geographic regions were described. Distribution of viruses in Antarctica may elucidate their migration, potential reservoirs, and hosts. Observations on viruses would explain the processes of virus infections, survival, pathogenicity, and medicine.