Virophage replication mode drives ecological and evolutionary shifts in a host-virus-virophage system

We studied how virophage replication modes affect the ecological dynamics of a host-virus-virophage system and the virophage’s evolutionary responses. By manipulating the level of virophage (Mavirus) integration into the host (Cafeteria burkhardae) alongside the Cafeteria roenbergensis virus (CroV), we found that higher integration improved host survival but decreased virophage reactivation. These communities had lower population densities and fewer fluctuations in host and virus populations, while virophage fluctuations increased. The virophage’s dual replication mode plays a key role in maintaining microbial community stability.