MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Discovery of the first resinicolous fungus in Mycosphaerellales (Dothideomycetes): Resinomelania communis from conifer resins in Poland

Summary

Scientists discovered a new fungus species living on tree resins from conifer trees in Poland. This fungus, named Resinomelania communis, represents the first known fungus in its evolutionary group that specializes in living on sticky tree resins. The discovery was made by identifying 13 fungal strains from four different conifer species using DNA analysis and studying their physical characteristics.

Background

Resinicolous fungi have evolved across different fungal lineages and are best known in Eurotiomycetes, Leotiomycetes, Orbiliomycetes, and Xylonomycetes. However, resinicolous lifestyles are uncommon in the class Dothideomycetes, where they are predominantly known only in members of the order Mytilinidiales. This study describes the first resinicolous fungus reported in the order Mycosphaerellales.

Objective

To isolate, identify, and characterize fungi from conifer resins in Poland using multi-locus phylogenetic analyses and morphological features. The study aimed to describe any undescribed species and determine their taxonomic placement within Dothideomycetes.

Results

The isolated strains were identified as a new species in a new genus within family Teratosphaeriaceae, order Mycosphaerellales. The new genus and species Resinomelania communis is phylogenetically related to Neocatenulostroma and Sthughesia. This represents the first resinicolous fungus reported in Mycosphaerellales and the family Teratosphaeriaceae.

Conclusion

This study reveals the existence of resinicolous fungi in previously unknown fungal lineages and expands understanding of fungal diversity inhabiting extreme environments. Resinomelania communis exhibits specialized adaptations to resin substrates and may have biotechnological applications due to metabolic pathways adapted to chemically complex microhabitats.
  • Published in:MycoKeys,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic/Descriptive Study,
  • Source: 10.3897/mycokeys.120.154464
Scroll to Top