Rapid Microcystis Cyanophage Gene Diversification Revealed by Long- and Short-Term Genetic Analyses of the Tail Sheath Gene in a Natural Pond

Viruses influence the abundance of host populations through virus-mediated host cell lysis. Viruses contribute to the generation and maintenance of host diversity, which also results in viral diversity throughout their coevolution. Here, to determine the phage gene diversification throughout the coevolution of host and phage in a natural environment, we investigated the genetic diversity and temporal changes in Microcystis cyanophage populations...