sippyjug104 wrote:
The following is taken from "Virology Blog" regarding how many types of viruses there are on earth:
"If we assume that the 62,305 known vertebrate species each harbor 58 viruses, the number of unknown viruses rises to 3,613,690 – over three times more than Dr. Morse’s estimate. The number rises to 100,939,140 viruses if we include the 1,740,330 known species of vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, lichens, mushrooms, and brown algae. This number does not include viruses of bacteria, archaea, and other single-celled organisms. Considering that there are 10 (to the power of 31) virus particles in the oceans – mostly bacteriophages – the number is likely to be substantially higher."
Thus as a truly ancient form, the virus was one of the first forms on earth and they are sure to be here long after mankind is gone from the planet.
The following is taken from "Virology Blog&qu... (
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Glad to see that you mentioned the bacteriophages also.