Several isolates of the entomopathogenic Metarhizium anisopliae that harboured dsRNA viruses of similar electrophoretic band sizes
(1.8 and 2.0 kbp) were assessed for homologies of the dsRNA by Northern analysis. The isolates were also characterised genetically
by RAPD and VCG. Similarly sized dsRNA, as visualised by electrophoresis, were not always homologous, suggesting that the
comparison of dsRNA based solely on electrophoretic banding patterns is an unreliable method of dsRNA characterisation. Several
isolates, but not all, harbouring multiple dsRNA patterns, including a 1.8 and 2.0 kbp doublet, also showed homologies to strains
harbouring only the dsRNA banding doublet. This suggests that mixed infections of different dsRNA elements are found in M.
anisopliae. Genetically similar fungi, based on RAPD banding patterns and vegetative compatibility, were more likely to harbour
genetically related dsRNA. The findings suggested that dsRNA elements in M. anisopliae are horizontally transferred to genetically
related isolates or are maintained through clonal lineages.