Fig. 5.

The ecological significance of light-dependent lysis delay. a Seasonal and inter-annual changes in irradiance with depth at a coastal observatory (the data shown here is from station L4 in the Western English Channel, the site of isolation of cyanophage S-PM2d). White lines correspond to the contours of the irradiances used in this study. The red line shows seasonal trends in Synechococcus loss rates [51]. b Diurnal changes in irradiance. Delayed lysis at low light results in a reduction in the rate of DOC release. Lysis at increased irradiances increases the rate of DOC release through the viral shunt