Insight into diversity of fungi inside the carton-nest of jet black ant Lasius fuliginosus

The ongoing project investigates fungi associated with the Lasius fuliginosus ant. The species composition of fungi present in the nest was determined. as well as potential paths of their transfer. Moreover, fungi were inoculated from the heads of ants in order to compare the taxonomic composition with the community inhabiting the nest. Analyzes of fungal communities occurring in the immediate environment of the nest, as well as in the microbiome of insects associated with ants, are also planned. The obtained results will allow an attempt to determine potential fungal transfer paths within and outside the nest. Additionally, research is being carried out on the activity of nest extracts and the production of bioactive metabolites by isolated strains of fungi.Materials and methodsThe material was obtained on September 10, 2021 in the Lancuchow, located in the Wieprz River valley. The nest was located in the hollow of the brittle willow Salix fragilis L., growing on the border of a riparian forest and a wet meadow.