Conjugation (or mating) of ciliates is a unique phenomenon among living beings. They have sex not for reproduction or pleasure — they seek to increase genetic variation. Scientists from St Petersburg ...

Over a single day, in the placid waters of a single pond, a million virus particles might enter a single-celled organism known for the minuscule hairs, or cilia, that propel it through those waters.

Researchers have found that microscopic ciliates can eat huge numbers of infectious chloroviruses that share their aquatic habitat. The team's lab experiments have also shown that a virus-only diet, ...