Sporobolomyces inositophilus,a new species of ballistosporous yeast isolated from a dead leaf of Sasa sp. in Japan

A new species of ballistosporous yeast, Sporobolomyces inositophilus was isolated from a dead leaf of Sasa sp. collected at a mountain in Japan. This yeast is assumed to have a close relationship to Sporobolomyces singularis since it produces bilaterally symmetrical ballistospores and pale-coloured colonies and resembles Sporobolomyces singularis in these respects. These two species differ from typical species of Sporobolomyces and seem to constitute a natural taxonomic group.     

Trichosporon siamense sp. nov. isolated from insect frass in Thailand

A strain of yeast isolated from insect frass collected in Thailand was found to represent a hitherto undescribed species of a basidiomycetous anamorphic genus Trichosporon. It is described as Trichosporon siamense. In the phylogenetic tree based on the D1/D2 region sequences of 26S rDNA, this yeast constitutes a cluster with several Q-9 having species of Trichosporon including T. otae and T. brassicae but is clearly differentiated from these species by 1.8% or more base substitutions. In the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 and ITS2), this species differs from T. scarabaeorum, the nearest species, by 6.5% base substitution.     

Ubiquinone system of the form-genusChrysosporium

The ubiquinone (coenzyme Q: Q) system of 17 strains of the form-genusChrysosporium was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and found to show a heterogeneous distribution of the major ubiquinone. Q-9, Q-10 or Q-10(H₂) was found to be the major ubiquinone in 3, 9 and 5 strains, respectively. It was further demonstrated that the teleomorphs of the species characterized by Q-9 and Q-10 could be classified into two separate families, Arthrodermataceae (Q-9) and Onygenaceae (Q-10), which were defined within the revised order Onygenales by Currah. Teleomorphs ofChrysosporium species having Q-10(H₂) have not been found. This paper also includes the ubiquinone system of dermatophytes which relate to the form-genusChrysosporium morphologically.     

Sporobolomyces salmonicolor var. fischerii,a new yeast

A new variety of Sporobolomyces salmonicolor, a basidiomycetous yeast isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a human case of meningitis has been described. The variety can be differentiated from the species primarily by its ability to assimilate D-galactose and L-arabinose.     

Isolation and physiological characterisation of Thiobacillus aquaesulis sp. nov., a novel facultatively autotrophic moderate thermophile

A moderately thermophilic, facultatively chemolithoautotrophic thiobacillus isolated from a thermal sulphur spring is described. It differs from all other species currently known to be in culture. It grows lithoautotrophically on thiosulphate, trithionate or tetrathionate, which are oxidized to sulphate. Batch cultures on thiosulphate do not produce tetrathionate, but do precipitate elemental sulphur during growth. In autotrophic chemostat cultures the organism produces yields on thiosulphate, trithionate and tetrathionate that are among the highest observed for a Thiobacillus. Autotrophic cultures contain ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase. Heterotrophic growth has been observed only on complex media such as yeast extract and nutrient broth. It is capable of autotrophic growth and denitrification under anaerobic conditions with thiosulphate and nitrate. It grows between 30 to 55° C, and pH 7 to 9, with best growth at about 43°C and pH 7.6. It contains ubiquinone Q-8, and its DNA contains 65.7 mol% G+C. The organism is formally described and named as Thiobacillus aquaesulis.Now the Department of Biological Sciences     

Ballistosporous yeasts found on the surface of plant materials collected in New Zealand

Six new species of ballistosporous yeast, the genusSporobolomyces, were isolated from dead leaves and fruit of plants collected in New Zealand;Sp. novazealandicus, Sp. dimmenae, Sp. coprosmicola, Sp. coprosmae, Sp. dracophyllus, andSp. taupoensis. These species differ from any hitherto known species ofSporobolomyces based on chemotaxonomic characteristics.Abbreviations B. Bullera - Ben. Bensingtonia - Sp. Sporobolomyces - Sporid. Sporidiobolus - T. Tilletiopsis - U. Udeniomyces - G + C guanine plus cytosine     

Yeast Diversity in Hydromorphic Soils with Reference to a Grass–Sphagnum Wetland in Western Siberia and a Hummocky Tundra Region at Cape Barrow (Alaska)

The microbiological analysis of 78 samples taken from a high bog in Western Siberia and from a tundra wetland soil in Alaska showed the presence of 23 yeast species belonging to the genera Bullera, Candida, Cryptococcus, Debaryomyces, Hanseniaspora, Metschnikowia, Mrakia, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Sporobolomyces, Torulaspora, and Trichosporon.Peat samples from the high bog were dominated by eurytopic anamorphic basidiomycetous species, such as Rhodotorula mucilaginosaand Sporobolomyces roseus, and by the ascomycetous yeasts Candidaspp. and Debaryomyces hansenii.These samples also contained two rare ascomycetous species (Candida paludigenaand Schizoblastosporion starkeyi-henricii), which so far have been found only in taiga wetland soils. The wetland Alaskan soil was dominated by one yeast species (Cryptococcus gilvescens), which is a typical inhabitant of tundra soils. Therefore, geographic factors may serve for a more reliable prediction of yeast diversity in soils than the physicochemical or ecotopic parameters of these soils.     

Les levures dans les eaux de la Moselle

We have identified 95 yeast species, in the river Moselle. Trichosporon cutaneum is a very good indicator for pollution caused by men and disappears rapidly in the zone of recovery. In not polluted water, the white yeasts are absent or nearly so, and only red pigmented yeasts are present. Sporobolomyces odorus is always present in these fractions. From the source till the border (Thionville) an increasing percentage of red yeasts present in the water is an indicator for a recovery of the river after heavy pollution.

     

Seasonal Dynamics in a Yeast Population on Leaves of the Common Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosella L.

Analysis of an epiphytic yeast population on the leaves of the evergreen common wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella L. throughout a year showed that the density and the species composition of this population underwent regular seasonal changes. There were almost no yeasts on the young spring leaves. However, the yeast population on the mature leaves tended to increase in the autumn, reaching a maximum after the formation of continuous snow cover. Then the yeast population on the leaves tended to decrease, reaching a minimum in the spring. The species diversity of the yeasts was maximum in the autumn. The population of the epiphytic yeast species Cystofilobasidium capitatum, Rhodotorula fujisanensis, Leucosporium scottii, and Cryptococcus flavus peaked in the autumn. On the other hand, the population of the widespread epiphytic species Cryptococcus laurentii on the wood sorrel leaves peaked in January. The relative abundance of the red-pigmented phytobionts Rhodotorula glutinis and Sporobolomyces roseus virtually did not change throughout the year. The relative abundance of the euribiotic species Cryptococcus albidus showed irregular monthly variations. The data obtained show that the epiphytic microbial population of various plants can be comprehensively studied only by analyzing this population throughout the vegetative period of the plants.     

Levures des eaux saumatres de Lagrange-Fouquet

The briny waters of Lagrange-Fouquet contain a wide variety of yeasts. The more common ones are Cryptococcus laurentii, Cryptococcus albidus, Sporobolomyces pararoseus and Sporobolomyces roseus.These yeasts stem from the phyllosphere of the surrounding vegetation, and constitute a population which is characteristic of the natural zones.

     

Bullera anomala sp. nov. and Bullera pseudovariabilis sp. nov., two new ballistoconidium-forming yeast species from Yunnan,China

Two ballistoconidium-forming yeast strains, CH 2.504 and CH 2.509, were isolated from the wilting leaves of Parthenocissus sp. collected in Yunnan, China in 1996. These two strains were assigned to the genus Bullera Derx by the characteristics of forming rotationally symmetric ballistoconidia, containing xylose in the cell hydrolysates and having Q-10 as the major ubiquinone. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences revealed that CH 2.504 is closely related to B. variabilis Nakase & Suzuki, while CH 2.509 is located in a clearly separate clade among the described Bullera species and related taxa. The results indicated that CH 2.509 represents a new species, for which Bullera anomala sp. nov. is the proposed name (type strain AS 2.2094^T). Further DNA-DNA reassociation data showed that CH 2.504 also represents a distinct species, for which the name Bullera pseudovariabilis sp. nov. is given (type strain AS 2.2092^T). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Transformation of D-xylose by sporobolomyces lactosus

The new yeast species, Sporobolomyces lactosus, transformed D-xylose into a mixture of disaccharides. Hydrolysis of this mixture yielded D-glucose only. The main component of disaccharide mixture was α,α-trehalose.     

Four new species of yeast isolated from insect frass in bark ofTsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sargent

Summary In a study of the yeasts associated with insect frass underneath the bark ofTsuga heterophylla (the Pacific Coast hemlock) four new species of yeast were found. These were described asSporobolomyces singularis, Bullera tsugae, Cryptococcus skinneri andCandida oregonensis. Sporobolomyces singularis is a non-pigmented species, which required an amendment of the genus definition. Ballistospore formation of the new species ofSporobolomyces and ofBullera was absent on malt agar and on potato glucose agar, but positive on corn meal agar. An unusual case of quantitative transgalactosylation by growing cells ofSporobolomyces singularis on lactose has been described. It has been proposed to establish a “Candida parapsilosis Group” of species to whichC. oregonensis was assigned. Supported by a fellowship of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal.     

A reappraisal of intrageneric classification ofTalaromyces based on the ubiquinone systems

Ubiquinone profiles of 25 strains ofTalaromyces were determined using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Together with data of earlier authors, examination of the most recently described species allowed us to solve some taxonomic problems in the intrageneric classification. Ubiquinone Q-10(H₂) was found in the majority ofTalaromyces species with aPenicillium anamorph, which are mostly placed in seriesFlavi andLutei of sectionTalaromyces. Flavi andLutei are closely related and homogeneous taxa based on their morphological characters used in the section. However, exceptionol prfiles were consistently shown byT. trachyspermus and the allied taxa of seriesTrachyspermi of the sectionTalaromyces, in which a mixture of ubiquinone Q-10(H₂) and ubiquinone Q-10(H₄) was found. Thus the accommodation ofT. trachyspermus and the allied taxa in the sectionTalaromyces was not supported by their ubiquinone systems.Trachyspermi is distinguished from other taxa ofTalaromyces by its production of white ascomata and rapid growth at 37°C. A new section,Trachyspermus, is proposed herein. SectionEmersonii showed heterogeneity; the ubiquinone profiles (Q-10(H₂) or Q-10 and Q-10(H₂)) inTalaromyces with aGeosmithia anamorph were relatively homogeneous, whereas those of another group with aPaecilomyces anamorph were considerably variable. OnlyTalaromyces with aGeosmithia anamorph can be placed in the sectionEmersonii.     

Distribution and immunological characterization of microbial aldehyde reductases

The distribution of microbial aldo-keto reductases was examined and their immunochemical characterization was performed. p-Nitrobenzaldehyde, pyridine-3-aldehyde and ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate reductase activities were found to be widely distributed in a variety of microorganisms. In immunodiffusion studies, most yeasts belonging to the genera Sporobolomyces, Sporidiobolus and Rhodotorula formed precipitin bands with anti-Sporobolomyces salmonicolor aldehyde reductase serum. Furthermore, the results of immunotitration experiments suggested that Sporobolomyces salmonicolor AKU 4429 contains other enzyme(s) which can reduce p-nitrobenzaldehyde, pyridine-3-aldehyde and/or ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate, and which are inactivated by anti-Sporobolomyces salmonicolor aldehyde reductase serum.     

First report of oral colonization by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Debaryomyces nepalensis</Emphasis> in a dog

A stray, young male, wire-haired pointing griffon dog, found in a street of Perugia (Italy), was examined in order to check his health status. Two oropharyngeal swabs were collected in 24 h and streaked onto Sabouraud agar and after 6 days the yeasts colonies were transferred onto Malt agar. Ascospores were observed on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. The major ubiquinone of an isolated yeast was identified as ubiquinone-9 (Q-9), and genetical analyses were performed together with the type strains of Debaryomyces hansenii (var. hansenii and var. fabry), C. psychrophila and D. nepalensis type strain. The base sequences of ITS1 and ITS2, and D1/D2 domains of LSU rDNA completely coincided with those of D. nepalensis. From these results, the isolated yeast was identified as D. nepalensis. RAPD patterns between the two strains were found to be identical. The results indicate the first colonization of D. nepalensis in a dog.     

Coenzyme Q systems in ascomycetous black yeasts

72 Strains belonging to 44 species of ascomycetous black yeasts were analyzed for their coenzyme Q systems. Prevalent were Q-10 and dihydrogenated Q-10 systems. Members of the Dothidealean suborder Dothideineae have Q-10 (H₂), while those belonging to the suborder Pseudosphaeriineae mostly have Q-10. The anamorph genus Exophiala Carmichael and the teleomorph genus Capronia Sacc. seem to be heterogenous.     

Heterothallism in the basidiomycetous yeast genusSporidiobolus Nyland

The sexual speciesSporidiobolus salmonicolor andSporidiobolus pararoseus spp. nov. are described as heterothallic species in the genusSporidiobolus, a genus consisting of two homothallic species,Sporidiobolus johnsonii andSporidiobolus ruinenii. The four species are compared and a key to the genus is presented. As a taxonomic correctionSporobolomyces pararoseus nom. nud. is reported as a synonym ofSporobolomyces shibatanus.     

Sporobolomyces magnisporus sp. nov., a new yeast species in the Erythrobasidium cluster isolated from plants in Taiwan

Two strains of yeasts that contain Q-10 as the major ubiquinone, lack cellular xylose and produce large bilaterally symmetrical ballistoconidia were isolated from plants collected in a protected subtropical rain forest in Taiwan and were found to represent a new species. The taxonomic properties of this species coincide with the genus Sporobolomyces, so it is described as Sporobolomyces magnisporus sp. nov. In phylogenetic trees based on the nucleotide sequences of 18S ribosomal DNA and D1/D2 domain of 26S ribosomal DNA, this species is located in the Erythrobasidium cluster.