Prevalence and distribution of two polycipiviruses in wild black garden ants (Lasius niger L.) colonies in the Netherlands
In this study, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of Lasius niger virus 1 (LnV-1) and Myrmica scabrinodis virus 1 (MsaV-1) in wild colonies of the black garden ant (Lasius niger L.) across the Netherlands. Worker ants were collected from 30 colonies sampled at geographically distinct locations. Total RNA was extracted and screened for LnV-1 and MsaV-1 using RT-PCR. Partial and/or complete viral genome sequences were obtained and analyzed.