Why would a virus evolve to subsist on an energy source that doesn't exist on their planet?

In my world, I have a dangerous virus that has evolved to subsist on Aether, which for now I will just call its secondary energy source apart from a normal infection of an animal. Yet on the planet where it evolved, there is no Aether to be found. Why would it have evolved these capabilities?

Solutions I have so far... Since Aether is an incredibly powerful energy source biologically and chemically, perhaps in a bygone age where Aether was common on the planet the virus's ancestors evolved the ability to feed on it. The capability was sustained in its biological makeup, long after the Aether had run out.

*Edit Oof, I completely forgot Biology 101. By subsist on Aether I meant it targets creatures that contain, eat or are a carrier for Aether. I'm sorry for the confusion with the virus 'feeding'. My question was why would it target these Aether-rich animals when there was none on its home planet.

posted almost 5 years ago

Jefferey Dawson‭

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