Candida alocasiicola sp. nov., Candida hainanensis sp. nov., Candida heveicola sp. nov. and Candida musiphila sp. nov., novel anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast species isolated from plants

In a taxonomic study on the ascomycetous yeasts isolated from plant materials collected in tropical forests in Yunnan and Hainan Provinces, southern China, four strains isolated from tree sap (YJ2E(T)) and flowers (YF9E(T), YWZH3C(T) and YYF2A(T)) were revealed to represent four undescribed yeast species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the large subunit (26S) rRNA gene D1/D2 domain sequences showed that strain YJ2E(T) was located in a clade together with Candida haemulonii and C. pseudohaemulonii. Strain YF9E(T) was most closely related to C. azyma and strain YWZH3C(T) to C. sorbophila and C. spandovensis. Strain YYF2A(T) was clustered in a clade containing small-spored Metschnikowia species and related anamorphic Candida species. The new strains differed from their closely related described species by more than 10% mismatches in the D1/D2 domain. No sexual states were observed for the four strains on various sporulation media. The new species are therefore assigned to the genus Candida and described as Candida alocasiicola sp. nov. (type strain, YF9E(T) = AS 2.3484(T) = CBS 10702(T)), Candida hainanensis sp. nov. (type strain, YYF2A(T) = AS 2.3478(T) = CBS 10696(T)), Candida heveicola sp. nov. (type strain, YJ2E(T) = AS 2.3483(T) = CBS 10701(T)) and Candida musiphila sp. nov. (type strain, YWZH3C(T) = AS 2.3479(T) = CBS 10697(T)).     

Candida potacharoeniae sp. nov. and Candida spenceri sp. nov., two novel galactose-containing ascomycetous anamorphic yeast species isolated in Thailand

Fifteen strains of anamorphic yeasts isolated from various natural substrates collected in various places in Thailand were found to represent two novel species of anamorphic yeast genus Candida based on the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA genes, chemotaxonomic and conventional properties used for the classification of yeasts. These strains are located in the clade including Candida etchellsii and Candida magnoliae. Fourteen strains represented by ST-490(T) (BCC 15176(T)=NBRC 106439(T)= CBS 11674(T)) are closely related to Candida sorbosivorans in the D1/D2 sequences but 11 nucleotides (2.4%) were substituted. The remaining strain, ST-594(T) (=BCC 15278(T)=NBRC 106446(T)=CBS 11673(T)) showed a close relationship to Candida geochares but 21 nucleotides (4.7%) were substituted. Apparently, these strains represent two novel Candida species of the Starmerella clade. The two species are described as Candida potacharoeniae sp. nov. and Candida spenceri sp. nov. in the present paper. Like the most species of this clade, the two species contain galactose in the cells in addition to glucose and mannose and have high mol% G + C of 54.4-55.9 and 54.9, respectively.     

Two new anamorphic yeasts, Candida thailandica sp. nov. and Candida lignicola sp. nov., isolated from insect frass in Thailand

Two new yeast strains of the genus Candida were isolated from insect frass collected in Khao-Yai National Park, Nakhonrachasima, Thailand. Based on the morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of 26S rRNA gene, these two strains were found to represent two distinct undescribed species and were named Candida thailandica sp. nov. (ST-17 = BCC 7717(T) = NBRC 102562(T)=CBS 10 610) and Candida lignicola sp. nov. (ST-33 = BCC 7733(T) = NBRC 102564(T) = CBS 10612). In the D1/D2 domain of 26S rRNA gene, C. thailandica (GeneBank accession no. AY228491) differs from Candida tsuchiyae, the nearest species, in 66 nucleotide substitutions (10%) and C. lignicola (GeneBank accession no. AY845350) differs from Candida coipomoensis, the nearest species, in nine nucleotides (1.6%). These two new species are clearly distinguished from their closest species by the assimilation of several carbon compounds.     

Asterotremella meifongana sp. nov. and Asterotremella nantouana sp. nov., two anamorphic basidiomycetous yeasts isolated from soil and mushrooms

Two novel yeast species, Asterotremella meifongana sp. nov. and Asterotremella nantouana sp. nov., belonging to Asterotremellaceae within the Trichosporonales, are proposed to accommodate five strains isolated from Taiwanese samples of soil and basidiocarps during 2006-2007. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene revealed that the two species are phylogenetically closely related to species of the genus Asterotremella, which indicates that they are members of the genus. The two species can be further differentiated from other Asterotremella species based on their internal transcribed spacer sequences, as well as on a few physiological test responses. The type strains are A. meifongana SN4S04(T) (=CBS 11424(T) = BCRC 23196(T)) and A. nantouana SN5S06(T) (=CBS 10890(T) = BCRC 23135(T)).     

Candida ratchasimensis sp. nov. and Candida khaoyaiensis sp. nov., two anamorphic yeast species isolated from flowers in Thailand

Two yeast strains of the genus Candida were isolated from wild flowers collected in Khao Yai National Park, Nakhonratchasima Province, Thailand. Based on morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene, strains BCC 7722^T (=NBRC 102563^T=CBS 10611^T) and BCC 7729^T (=NBRC 102565^T=CBS 10839^T) were found to represent two distinct novel Candida species, for which the names Candida ratchasimensis sp. nov. and Candida khaoyaiensis sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. In the phylogenetic tree constructed according to the neighbour-joining method based on sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene, strains BCC 7722^T (GenBank accession no. AY228492 ) and BCC 7729^T (accession no. DQ400367 ) constituted a cluster with Candida cellae that was connected with a clade with Starmerella meliponinorum and Candida etschellsii . Within the D1/D2 domain, C. ratchasimensis and C. khaoyaiensis differ from C. cellae in 25 nucleotide substitutions with five gaps and 29 nucleotide substitutions with one gap, respectively.     

Three novel species of the anamorphic yeast genus Candida in the Candida intermedia clade found in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan

Four strains of yeasts isolated in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan were found to represent three novel species of the genus Candida. The three species are located in a clade including Candida tsuchiyae, Candida thailandica and Candida akabanensis in a tree based on the D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit rRNA genes but clearly differentiated from these relative species. Three novel species are proposed for these strains, i. e., Candida berkhoutiae sp. nov., for strains ST-49(T) (=BCC 7749(T)=NBRC 106733(T)=CBS 11722(T)) isolated from insect frass in Thailand and SA13S01 (=NBRC 106053) isolated from soil in Taiwan, Candida ezoensis sp. nov., for strain Y07-1601-2(T) (=NBRC 105019(T)=CBS 11753(T)) isolated from forest soil in Japan, and Candida inulinophila sp. nov., for ST-369(T) (=BCC 15081(T)=NBRC 106735(T)=CBS 11725(T)) isolated from an unidentified wild mushroom from Thailand.     

Candida hyderabadensis sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast isolated from wine grapes

Three ascomycetous yeast strains were isolated from decaying green wine grapes, collected from Hyderabad city in India. Two strains, YS9 and YS21, were identified as Kodamaea ohmeri and Candida fermentati, respectively. The third strain, YS12(T), differs from Candida parapsilosis, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours, by 1.6-1.9% with respect to the nucleotide sequence of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene and by 1.4-9.2% with respect to the nucleotide sequence of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2 region. YS12(T) also differs from C. parapsilosis, C. metapsilosis and C. orthopsilosis by some phenotypic characteristics. Thus, based on the phenotypic differences and phylogenetic analysis, strain YS12(T) is assigned the status of a new species of Candida, for which the name C. hyderabadensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YS12(T) (NRRL Y-27953(T)=CBS10444(T)=IAM15334(T)).     

Candida queiroziae sp. nov., a cellobiose-fermenting yeast species isolated from rotting wood in Atlantic Rain Forest

Eight strains of a novel yeast species were isolated from rotting wood and wood-boring insects in Atlantic Rain Forest ecosystems in Brazil. Sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit of the rRNA gene showed that the yeast belongs to the Scheffersomyces clade and that it is related to Candida lignicola and Candida coipomoensis. The new species was isolated from rotting wood of three different localities and a wood-boring insect suggesting that these substrates are its ecological niche. This new yeast species is able to assimilate cellobiose and other compounds related to rotting wood. Strong fermentation of cellobiose in Durham tubes was observed for the strains of this new yeast. The new species produced an intracellular β-glucosidase responsible for cellobiose hydrolysis. The novel species, Candida queiroziae sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate these isolates. The type strain of C. queiroziae is UFMG-CLM 5.1(T) (=CBS 11853(T) = NRRL Y-48722(T)).     

海南热带雨林腐木上两个无性型子囊菌酵母新种

用含木糖为唯一碳源和含葡萄糖及7.6%乙醇的两种富集培养基对采自海南热带雨林腐木样品中的酵母菌进行了分离培养。对分离出的酵母菌株进行的分子分类学研究表明,其中两株酵母菌X2WZ07-4和G2WZ06-1代表两个无性型子囊菌酵母新种。大亚基(26S)rRNA基因D1/D2域序列分析显示,与X2WZ07-4和G2WZ06-1亲缘关系最近的已知种分别为Candida cylindracea和C.llanquihuensis。在D1/D2域,X2WZ07-4与C.cylindracea模式菌株的碱基序列差异为2.5%;G2WZ06-1与C.llanquihuensis模式菌株的序列差异为3.9%,均远大于酵母菌种间在此区域的序列差异(～1%)。这两个新种分别被命名为拟柱形假丝酵母Candida pseudocylindracea sp.nov.(模式菌株:X2WZ07-4T=AS2.3788T=CBS10854T)和五指山假丝酵母Candida wuzhishanensis sp.nov.(模式菌株:G2WZ06-1T=AS2.3784T=CBS10850T)。     

Kazachstania jiainicus sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species isolated from soil in Taiwan

A new ascomycetous yeast species, Kazachstania jiainicus, is proposed based on two strains isolated from soil in Taiwan. The species is characterized by forming one or two globose spores in each ascus, fermenting glucose and galactose and assimilating few carbon and nitrogen compounds. Genus assignment and distinction of the strains from recognized species is based on ascosporulation and phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences from domains D1/D2 of the large subunit (26S) rRNA gene. Sequence analysis showed that the species was phylogenetically related to the genus Kazachstania. The species was distinct from recognized species of Kazachstania on the basis of carbon and nitrogen assimilation patterns. Based on the characteristics described above, the species is recognized as a novel species of the genus Kazachstania, and the name Kazachstania jiainicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SF1S05T (=CBS10587T=NBRC 102655T=BCRC 23098T), which was isolated from soil in Jiain, Hualein, Taiwan.     

Candida carvajalis sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species from the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle

In the course of a yeast biodiversity survey of different ecological habitats found in Ecuador, two yeast strains (CLQCA 20-011^T and CLQCA20-014) were isolated from samples of rotten wood and fallen leaf debris collected at separate sites in the central region of the Ecuadorian Amazonia. These strains were found to represent a novel yeast species based on the sequences of their D1/D2 domain of the large-subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and their physiological characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis based on LSU D1/D2 sequences revealed this novel species to be most closely related to Candida asparagi, Candida fructus, Candida musae and two as yet undescribed Candida species, with the six yeast taxa collectively forming a distinct species group within the Clavispora clade. The species name of Candida carvajalis sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains, with CLQCA 20-011^T (NCYC 3509^T, CBS 11361^T) designated as the type strain.     

Candida ruelliae sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from flowers of Ruellia sp. (Acanthaceae)

Two novel yeast strains designated as 16Q1 and 16Q3 were isolated from flowers of the Ruellia species of the Acanthaceae family. The D1/D2 domain and ITS sequences of these two strains were identical. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of large-subunit rRNA gene indicated their relationship to species of the Candida haemulonii cluster. However, they differ from C. haemulonii by 14% nucleotide sequence divergence, from Candida pseudohaemulonii by 16.1% and from C. haemulonii type II by 16.5%. These strains also differ in 18 physiological tests from the type strain of C. haemulonii, and 12 and 16 tests, respectively, from C. pseudohaemulonii and C. haemulonii type II. They also differ from C. haemulonii and other related species by more than 13% sequence divergence in the internal transcribed spacer region. In the SSU rRNA gene sequences, strain 16Q1 differs by 1.7% nucleotide divergence from C. haemulonii. Sporulation was not observed in pure or mixed cultures on several media examined. All these data support the assignment of these strains to a novel species; we have named them as Candida ruelliae sp. nov., and designate strain 16Q1(T)=MTCC 7739(T)=CBS10815(T) as type strain of the novel species.     

Cryptococcus foliicola sp. nov. and Cryptococcus taibaiensis sp. nov., novel basidiomycetous yeast species from plant leaves

A molecular taxonomic investigation performed on basidiomycetous yeast strains isolated from plant leaves collected in two areas of China revealed two novel species, Cryptococcus foliicola sp. nov. (type strain HS 23.3(T) = AS 2.2471(T) = CBS 9920(T)) and Cryptococcus taibaiensis sp. nov. (type strain ST 7.9(T) = AS 2.2444(T) = CBS 9919(T)), among the non ballistoconidium-forming strains producing cream-colored colonies. These new species differed markedly from closely related species in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 26S rRNA D1/D2 region sequences. They clustered in a strongly supported clade represented by Cryptococcus victoriae in the Tremellales group in the phylogenetic trees drawn from ITS and D1/D2 sequences.     

Debaryomyces psychrosporus sp. nov., a yeast species from a Venezuelan cave

Three yeast strains, which are phenotypically indistinguishable from Debaryomyces hansenii, were recovered from secondary mineral deposits (stalactites and stromatolites) obtained in the Crystal Eyes Cave, Roraima Tepui Mountain, Venezuela. Analyses of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene as well as the concatenated sequences of the nearly entire SSU rRNA gene, the ITS regions and the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene confirmed the placement of these strains in the genus Debaryomyces, but relationship with all valid species of D. hansenii complex was distant. Based on the observed considerable sequence divergence the three strains are proposed as a new species, D. psychrosporus sp. nov., with the type strain NCAIM Y.01972(T) (CBS 11845(T), NRRL Y-48723(T)).     

Torulaspora quercuum sp. nov. and Candida pseudohumilis sp. nov., novel yeasts from human and forest habitats

Strains XZ-46A, XZ-105, XZ-129 and XZ-281^T isolated from the oral cavities of healthy Tibetan volunteers were revealed to represent two novel ascomycetous yeast species by molecular taxonomic characterizations. Strain XZ-281^T was most closely related to Candida humilis , but differed from the type strain of the species by eight (1.2%) substitutions in the 26S rRNA gene D1/D2 domain and by >100 (>20%) mismatches in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Strains XZ-46A, XZ-105 and XZ-129 had identical or similar D1/D2 and ITS sequences with each other and with strain 17YF^T isolated from a leaf of an oak tree ( Quercus sp.). The closest relative of this group was Torulaspora microellipsoides . They differed from the type strain of the species by five (0.9%) substitutions in the D1/D2 domain and >70 (>15%) mismatches in the ITS region. A sexual state was observed in strain 17YF^T, but not in the other four oral strains. An anamorphic name Candida pseudohumilis sp. nov. is proposed for strain XZ-281^T (=AS 2.3956^T=CBS 11404^T) and a teleomorphic name Torulaspora quercuum sp. nov. is proposed for strain 17YF^T (=AS 2.3768^T=CBS 11403^T) and the other three oral strains.     

Candida easanensis sp. nov., Candida pattaniensis sp. nov. and Candida nakhonratchasimensis sp. nov., three new species of yeasts isolated from insect frass in Thailand

Six strains of anamorphic yeasts isolated from insect frass collected in several regions of Thailand were assigned to the genus Candida based on the conventional taxonomic criteria used for yeast classification. These strains have Q-7 as the major ubiquinone and are suggested to have close relationships to the genus Pichia. Three strains, ST-225, ST-228 and ST-229, have identical nucleotide sequences in the D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA and are closely related to Pichia japonica, but differ by six nucleotides (1.1% ) from this species. These three strains are considered to represent a single new species, which is described as Candida easanensis sp. nov. Two strains, ST-311 and ST-320, have identical sequences in the D1/D2 domain and resemble Pichia veronae and Pichia fabianii but differ from them by nine nucleotides (1.6%) in D1/D2 sequences. The two strains are described as Candida pattaniensis sp. nov. The remaining strain, ST-37, is related to Pichia americana and Pichia bimundalis but differs by six(1.1%) and seven (1.2%) nucleotides from these species, respectively. This strain is described as Candida nakhonratchasimensis sp. nov.     

Three new thermotolerant methylotrophic yeasts, Candida krabiensis sp. nov., Candida sithepensis sp. nov., and Pichia siamensis sp. nov., isolated in Thailand

Five strains of thermotolerant methylotrophic yeasts isolated in Thailand were found to represent three new species in the genera Pichia and Candida, based on phylogenetic analysis of D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA, in addition to the morphological, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characterization. Three strains, FS96 and FS101 from flowers and M02 from tree flux, were characterized by ubiquinone Q7, multilateral budding, and the formation of hat-shaped ascospores that are liberated at maturation. These strains showed identical nucleotide sequences in the D1/D2 domain and formed a cluster with Candida thermophila, "Pichia salicis" and Pichia angusta. They differed by 1.9% of nucleotide substitutions from Candida thermophila, the nearest species. They were considered to represent a single new species and are described as Pichia siamensis sp. nov. Two strains, N051 and S023, isolated from soil did not produce ascospores, proliferated by multilateral budding, did not demonstrate urease or DBB color reaction, and lacked sexual stages. These characteristics correspond to the genus Candida. Strains N051 and S023 differed by 2.8% and 1.9% of nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domain from the nearest species, Candida nemodendra and Candida ovalis, respectively, and are considered to represent respective new species. N051 and S023 are described as Candida krabiensis sp. nov. and Candida sithepensis sp. nov., respectively.     

Diversity of basidiomycetous phylloplane yeasts belonging to the genus Dioszegia (Tremellales) and description of Dioszegia athyri sp. nov., Dioszegia butyracea sp. nov. and Dioszegia xingshanensis sp. nov

From approximately 200 basidiomycetous yeast isolates forming orange or orange-red colonies isolated from senescent leaves collected in different regions of China, 29 representative strains varying in their geographic distribution and ballistoconidium forming ability were selected for further phenotypic and molecular taxonomic studies. Sequence analysis of the large subunit (26S) rDNA D1/D2 domain and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region including 5.8S rRNA from the strains resulted in the recognition of seven Dioszegia species, including four described species, namely D. aurantiaca, D. fristingensis, D. hungarica and D. zsoltii var. zsoltii and D. zsoltii var. yunnanensis, and three undescribed species. The three new species are described as Dioszegia athyri sp. nov. (type strain: CB 159(T) = AS 2.2559(T) = CBS 10119(T)), Dioszegia butyracea sp. nov. (type strain: CB 261(T) = AS 2.2600(T) = CBS 10122(T)) and Dioszegia xingshanensis sp. nov. (type strain: HB 1.4(T) = AS 2.2481(T) = CBS 10120(T)) in the present study.     

Two new species in the Pichia guilliermondii clade: Pichia caribbica sp. nov., the ascosporic state of Candida fermentati, and Candida carpophila comb. nov

Pichia caribbica sp. nov. (type strain DBVPG 4519, NRRL Y-27274, CBS 9966) is described as the ascosporic state of Candida fermentati, and Candida guilliermondii var. carpophila (type strain DBVPG 7739, NRRL Y-17905, CBS 5256) is elevated to species status as Candida carpophila comb. nov. These new taxa, which are indistinguishable on the basis of conventional taxonomic criteria, differ from one another and from Pichia guilliermondii by low DNA base sequence relatedness, different electrophoretic karyotypes, and nucleotide divergence in domains D1/D2 of 26S rDNA. Pichia caribbica produces one, rarely two, saturn-shaped ascospores in persistent asci. On the basis of molecular criteria, C. carpophila comb. nov., C. fukuyamaensis, and C. xestobii are conspecific, with the name C. carpophila having taxonomic priority.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida neustonensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast isolated from the sea surface microlayer in Taiwan

A new ascomycetous yeast species, Candida neustonensis is proposed in this study based on four strains (SN92^T, SN47, SJ22, SJ25) isolated from sea surface microlayer in Taiwan. These four yeast strains were morphologically, physiologically and phylogenetically identical to each other. No sexual reproduction was observed on 5% malt extract agar, corn meal agar, V8 agar, McClary’s acetate agar and potato-dextrose agar. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene places C. neustonensis as a member of the Pichia guilliermondii clade, it also reveals that the phylogenetically closest relatives of C. neustonensis are C. fukuyamaensis (4.4% divergence), C. xestobii (4.4% divergence) and P. guilliermondii (4.5% divergence). C. neustonensis also is clearly distinguished from other known species in the P. guilliermondii clade based on the results of physiology tests. From these comparison analyses, the following novel yeast species is proposed: Candida neustonensis sp. nov., with strain SN92^T (= BCRC 23108^T = JCM 14892^T = CBS 11061^T) as the type strain.