Natural M-segment reassortment in Potosi and Main Drain viruses: implications for the evolution of orthobunyaviruses

Recently, we identified Batai virus as the M-segment reassortment partner of Ngari virus. Extension of genetic analyses to other orthobunyaviruses related to the Bunyamwera serogroup indicates additional natural genome reassortments. Whereas the relative phylogenetic positions of all three genome segment sequences were similar for Northway and Kairi viruses, the relative positions of Potosi and Main Drain virus M-segment sequences diverged from those of their S- and L-segments. Our findings indicate M-segment reassortment in Potosi and Main Drain viruses and demonstrate natural genome reassortment as a driving force in the evolution of viruses of the Bunyamwera serogroup.