Resin outpourings on conifers are inhabited by more members of Nectriaceae (Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes) than previously thought.

Abstract

Resin outpourings on conifers are a quite unique habitat occurring in nature. Conifer resins are composed mainly from monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and resin acids which are recalcitrant to microbial decomposition. Moreover, resins exhibit antimicrobial properties. Despite that, they are colonised by different microorganisms including fungi. They are called resinicolous fungi. They constitute a poorly explored group of the fungal kingdom. In this study, during investigation of resinicolous fungi in Poland, seven strains were assigned to the family Nectriaceae. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 sequence data were used for molecular identification. As a result, two new species (including a new genus) and two known species were identified. Pulchrosporaresinae gen. et sp. nov. and Cosmosporaelegans sp. nov. were described, characterised and proposed herein. Known species such as Cosmosporaviridescens and Cosmosporellapruni were isolated from resin substrate for the first time.