A new virus has been discovered that is ten times the size of normal viruses, one micrometre, and only 6% of its genes appear to be of earthly origin.
The odd virus is believed to possibly be extraterrestrial in nature. The best candidate for the otherwordly genetic makeup might very well be Mars.
The virus, called Pandoravirus, lives underwater and poses no threat to humans.
The virus' presence however, opens up a range of possibilities about how life on Earth commenced.
These forms of viruse, are believed to have evolved from of an ancestral virus that no longer exists.
Long confused for a bacterium due to its visibility and size, it only recently has garnered the proper scientific designation.
Their genetic code, furthermore, is twice the size of the Megavirus, the largest of known, commonly sized viruses.
The discovery of its alien genetic makeup made scientists theorize that its present size is an adaptational feature, that allowed it to survive. Another theory is that its genetic material could be a result of assuming the genetic code of the host organism through which it is able to replicate.
Source : Science Daily / 7.19.13
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