Common multiple dsRNAs are present in populations of the fungus Discula destructiva originating from widely separated geographic locations

DsRNAs were detected in 85/108 isolates of Discula destructiva, the cause o f dogwood anthracnose, collected in South Carolina, Idaho, and Alabama. The eastern isolates contained a greater diversity of dsRNA than did Idaho iso lates, but most isolates, irrespective of state of origin, contained two sm all bands (ca. 1.5-2.5 kb) with sequence homology indicated by Northern hyb ridization, Differences in the banding patterns suggest that genetic divers ity of dsRNA in D. destructiva is generated rapidly and that D. destructiva can be simultaneously infected by multiple dsRNA viruses.