[neverdem]

All this reproducing of the ‘virophage’ during its own infection of Zooplankton really messes up the virus - and allows the Zooplankon to thrive more than it would if the virus went unchecked.

Maybe the virophage is able to use the Zooplankton to reproduce. I'm no virologist or microbiologist, but this is certainly new.

[allmendream]

Yes, it piggybacks on a megavirus. The megavirus then infects a Zooplankton and injects its DNA into the cell. Inside the cell are the molecules and resources to reproduce more megavirus AND more virophage.

So it is a virus that piggybacks onto a megavirus that piggybacks onto a Zooplankton that reproduces ALL three actors in our little drama of reproduction.