Phylogenetic diversity of T4-like bacteriophages in Lake Baikal, East Siberia

A study of Lake Baikal's bacteriophages reveals a high diversity of T4-like myoviruses, distinct from known sequences and more closely related to marine cyanophages. Phylogenetic analysis of the g23 gene fragments showed that most Lake Baikal phages clustered with uncultured T4 phages from marine and rice field environments, suggesting unique ecological adaptations or evolutionary pathways in this ancient lake's ecosystem.

Butina, T. V., Belykh, O. I., Maksimenko, S. Yu., & Belikov, S. I. (2010). Phylogenetic diversity of T4-like bacteriophages in Lake Baikal, East Siberia. FEMS Microbiology Letters, no–no. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.02025.x