<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Bacteriophages are viruses infecting bacteria and propagating in bacterial cells. They were discovered over 100 years ago, and for decades they played crucial roles as models in genetics and molecular biology and as tools in genetic engineering and biotechnology. Now we also recognize their huge role in natural environment and their importance in human health and disease. Despite our understanding of bacteriophage mechanisms of development, these viruses are described as parasites or predators in the literature. From the biological point of view, there are fundamental differences between parasites and predators. Therefore, in this article, I asked whether bacteriophages should be classified as former or latter biological entities. Analysis of the literature and biological definitions led me to conclude that bacteriophages are parasites rather than predators and should be classified and described as such. If even more precise ecological classification is needed, bacteriophages can perhaps be included in the group of parasitoids. It might be the most appropriate formal classification of these viruses, especially if strictly virulent phages are considered, contrary to phages which lysogenize host cells and those which develop according to the permanent infection mode (or chronic cycle, like filamentous phages) revealing features of classical parasites.</p>
</abstract>

Bacteriophages are viruses infecting bacteria and propagating in bacterial cells. They were discovered over 100 years ago, and for decades they played crucial roles as models in genetics and molecular biology and as tools in genetic engineering and biotechnology. Now we also recognize their huge role in natural environment and their importance in human health and disease. Despite our understanding of bacteriophage mechanisms of development, these viruses are described as parasites or predators in the literature. From the biological point of view, there are fundamental differences between parasites and predators. Therefore, in this article, I asked whether bacteriophages should be classified as former or latter biological entities. Analysis of the literature and biological definitions led me to conclude that bacteriophages are parasites rather than predators and should be classified and described as such. If even more precise ecological classification is needed, bacteriophages can perhaps be included in the group of parasitoids. It might be the most appropriate formal classification of these viruses, especially if strictly virulent phages are considered, contrary to phages which lysogenize host cells and those which develop according to the permanent infection mode (or chronic cycle, like filamentous phages) revealing features of classical parasites.

Should Bacteriophages Be Classified as Parasites or Predators?

Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology

Polish Journal of Microbiology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Should Bacteriophages Be Classified as Parasites or Predators?"}

Bacteriophages are viruses infecting bacteria and propagating in bacterial cells. They were discovered over 100 years ago, and for decades they played crucial...

Should Bacteriophages Be Classified as Parasites or Predators?

Article Category: Minireview

Published Online: Feb 23, 2022

Page range: 3 - 9

Received: Nov 28, 2021

Accepted: Jan 08, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33073/pjm-2022-005

Keywords
bacteriophages, parasitism, predation, parasitoids

© 2022 Grzegorz Węgrzyn, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Should Bacteriophages Be Classified as Parasites or Predators?

Article Category: Minireview

Published Online: Feb 23, 2022

Page range: 3 - 9

Received: Nov 28, 2021

Accepted: Jan 08, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33073/pjm-2022-005

Keywordsbacteriophages, parasitism, predation, parasitoids

© 2022 Grzegorz Węgrzyn, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
bacteriophages, parasitism, predation, parasitoids