Dilution experiments were carried out to investigate the community composition and the metabolic response of seawater and freshwater bacteria to cross-transplantation, and the effects of nor.-indigenous bacterial hosts on viral dynamics. Changes in viral and bacterial abundance and production, as Well as bacterial respiration, carbon demand and diversity were regularly monitored over a 6 d period. Bacterial production in the transplanted seawater (SB-t) and freshwater (FB-t) bacteria treatments was stimulated up to 256 and 221 %, respectively, compared to controls. The stimulation of bacterial production and carbon demand was accompanied by a decrease in bacterial richness. Net viral production was stimulated by 81% in SB-t and repressed by 75% in FB-t. Transplantation increased the virus-induced mortality of marine bacteria, but decreased it for freshwater bacteria. These results suggest that (1) marine bacteria can readily oxidize freshwater dissolved organic matter, and (2) freshwater viruses might be able to infect marine hosts, thus highlighting their potential role in fueling bacterial growth under resource stress or nutrient-depleted conditions.