"the gene that encodes for the toxin protein is actually carried by a virus or phage that infects the bacteria" [0] It seems the advantage for the virus in mak

"the gene that encodes for the toxin protein is actually carried by a virus or phage that infects the bacteria" [0] It seems the advantage for the virus in making the bacteria produce enough toxin to kill a duck fifty times over is that the maggots which eat the dead duck (and carry the bacteria and virus) each pick up enough toxin to kill another duck. See diagram on carcass-maggot botulism in the reference. (Or not if you haven't eaten breakfast yet). [0] https://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_38.pdf https://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_...