Genomes of Cyanophage isolates from the coastal waters of Southern New England, USA

Genetic interactions between bacteriophages and their hosts can influence the mortality rates and composition of bacterial communities, yet the structure, origin and long-term maintenance of bacteriophage genomic diversity have not been well studied in natural communities. In this study, we analyzed the full genome sequences of over 100 Synechococcus-infecting cyanophages isolated at multiple coastal sites in Southern New England over a 15 year period. Using these genomic sequences, we examined the genomic structure, ecological-cohesion and diversification in natural cyanophage communities.