James Mitchell, Graduate Student
Pfister Lab, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
Harvard University

Topic: An Introduction to Resinicolous Fungi

Abstract:
Resins produced by conifers play important defensive roles.  In addition to discouraging herbivory, they act to seal off wounds, protecting the plant from fungal and insect incursions. Despite the fact that one of their roles is to discourage fungal growth in the wood of the living tree, the resins themselves host a surprisingly diverse funga. This talk will present a brief history of the study of resinicolous fungi, an introduction to a number of taxa found on resin, and finally the results so far of an ongoing investigation into the diversity of the resinicolous discomycete genus Sarea.

Host Lab: Pfister