In this study, we reported thirty-nine endophytic fungi identified as Colletotrichum spp. associated with Brazilian pepper tree or aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Anacardiaceae) in Paraná state, Brazil. These endophytes were identified by morphological and molecular methods, using PCR taxon-specific with CaInt/ITS4, CgInt/ITS4, and Col1/ITS4 primers, which amplify specific bands in C. acutatum, C. gloeosporioides lato sensu, and Colletotrichum boninensis, respectively, and by DNA sequence analysis of the nrDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2). We also assayed the presence of dsRNA particles in Colletotrichum spp. isolates. Combining both morphological characters and molecular data, we identified the species C. gloeosporioides, C. boninense, and C. simmondsii. However, we found a high genetic variability intraspecific in C. gloeosporioides which suggests the existence of several other species. Bands of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) were detected in three of thirty-nine isolates. Identity of these bands was confirmed by RNAse, DNAse, and S1 nuclease treatments for the isolates LGMF633, LGMF726, and LGMF729. This is the first study reporting these particles of dsRNA in C. gloeosporioides. 1. Introduction Potential sources of new natural products have been explored in medicine, agriculture, and industry. Endophytic fungi have been recognized as useful sources of bioactive secondary metabolites [1], especially those isolated from medicinal plants [2, 3]. Various important characteristics are currently attributed, such as the increase in resistance to stressful conditions; alteration in physiological properties; production of phytohormones, toxins, medicinal substances, immunosuppressants, antitumor agents, and compounds of biotechnological interest such as enzymes [1, 4–13]. Brazilian pepper tree also called aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi-Anacardiaceae) is native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay [14]. In Brazil, the bark leaves and fruits have been used in popular medicine due to their medicinal properties [15–18]. Actions anti-inflammatory and antiseptic for treatment of wounds, urinary, and respiratory infections are listed as medicinal properties popularly known [19]. Studies showed antimicrobial activity [15, 18, 20–24], antifungal activity [25, 26], as antioxidant [15, 27], and antitumor [18, 28]. Despite its importance, there are a few records about the endophytic community in this plant. Colletotrichum has been isolated from numerous plant species especially as symptomatic pathogens but can be found as
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