Macro virus (biology)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See macro virus for other meanings of the phrase.
A macro virus is a fictional construct to describe a virus that is larger than usual, e.g. beyond the need of a microscope for the human eye to see it. As with real life viruses, they need other creatures to survive through a parasitic or carnivorous relationship.
Examples include:
- The Ripley, a parasitoid macro-virus from the film Dreamcatcher and the novel by the same name by Stephen King
- The un-named macro parasitoid virus featured in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager titled Macrocosm, which had a lifecycle of starting as a virus creating bubonic plague-like boils on the skin, to a series of fly-like creatures which escaped from the boils, to a large-to-medium sized flying clawed creature with large circular serrated mouth and infecting proboscis. Victims died from the effects of the virus but the fly forms of the virus/parasite remain dormant in dead bodies until another creature comes nearby.
- The Khaara from the Half-Life mod Natural Selection. Though predominantly an airborne virus, is able to manifest itself into various forms and structures.
