Giant virus discovered in Pacific Ocean with the longest tail ever recorded

Scientists have discovered PelV-1, a giant virus with an unprecedentedly long tail, in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. This virus infects Pelagodinium plankton and possesses a 2.3-micrometer tail, potentially aiding in host cell attachment. Its genome contains genes typically found in living cells, suggesting a complex interaction with its host's metabolism and energy production.