Four new yeasts in the Candida mesenterica clade associated with basidiocarp-feeding beetles

We isolated five yeasts related to Candida mesenterica from the digestive tract, frass, and habitat of beetles in six families inhabiting basidiocarps. Based on rDNA sequence comparisons and phenotypic characters, the yeasts were identified as Kodamaea ohmeri and four undescribed taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of combined small and large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences placed the five taxa in a statistically well supported clade with C. mesenterica, Candida suecica and other yeast species known from basidiocarps, including 'Endomyces scopularum' (CBS154.92 and 155.92), Candida fukazawae, Candida fungicola and Candida sagamina. Only one of the new taxa produced ascospores; the other three reproduced only asexually. The yeasts appear to be less closely associated with beetles than with the beetle habitat. The new species and their type strains are Kodamaea laetipori (type strain NRRL Y-27713 T), Candida derodonti (type strain NRRL Y-2771 1 T), Candida arcana (type strain NRRL Y-27712 T) and Candida plutei (type strain NRRL Y-27715 T).     

Eleven new species of Sugiyamaella and Candida from forest habitats

Eleven new yeasts from forest habitats are described from nucleotide sequence analysis of the nearly entire large subunit rRNA gene, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA gene, mitochondrial small subunit rRNA gene, and the cytochrome oxidase II gene. All are members of the Sugiyamaella clade. Three are heterothallic species of Sugiyamaella and eight species are assigned to Candida. The Sugiyamaella species are: Su. americana sp. nov., type strain NRRL YB-2067 (CBS 10352), mating type a, and isotype NRRL YB-4197 (CBS 10353), mating type alpha; Su. chiloensis sp. nov., type strain NRRL Y-17646 (CBS 8168), mating type a, and isotype NRRL Y-27101 (CBS 5927), mating type alpha, anamorph Ca. bertae; Su. japonica sp. nov., type strain NRRL YB-2788 (CBS 10354), diploid, NRRL YB-2764 (CBS 10355), mating type a, and NRRL YB-2799 (CBS 10356), mating type alpha. The Candida species with type strains are: Ca. boreocaroliniensis sp. nov. NRRL YB-1835 (CBS 10344), Ca. floridensis sp. nov. NRRL YB-3827 (CBS 10350), Ca. grinbergsii sp. nov. NRRL Y-27117 (CBS 5924), Ca. lignohabitans sp. nov. NRRL YB-1473 (CBS 10342), Ca. marilandica sp. nov. NRRL YB-1847 (CBS 10346), Ca. marionensis sp. nov. NRRL YB-1336 (CBS 10341), Ca. neomexicana sp. nov. NRRL YB-2450 (CBS 10349), and Ca. pinicola sp. nov. NRRL YB-2263 (CBS 10348).     

Three new species of Candida from apple cider: C. anglica, C. cidri and C. pomicola

Three new anamorphic ascomycetous yeasts are described: Candida anglica (type strain NRRL Y-27079, CBS 4262), Candida cidri (type strain NRRL Y-27078, CBS 4241), and Candida pomicola (type strain NRRL Y-27083, CBS 4242). These three species were isolated from cider produced in the United Kingdom, and their identification was determined from unique nucleotide sequences in the species-specific D1/D2 domain of large subunit (26S) ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic analysis of D1/D2 sequences placed C. anglica near Candida fragi, C. cidri near Pichia capsulata, and C. pomicola in the Pichia holstii clade.     

Cryptococcus bestiolae and Cryptococcus dejecticola, two new yeast species isolated from frass of the litchi fruit borer Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley

Two new yeast species, Cryptococcus bestiolae and Cryptococcus dejecticola, were discovered in the frass of the litchi fruit borer Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley. The yeasts utilize inositol, hydrolyze urea, produce starch-like substance, and contain CoQ10. Phylogenetic analyses of D1/D2 26S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences indicate that the yeasts are closely related to Bullera dendrophila and an undescribed species of Cryptococcus (strain CBS 8507). The two new species differed from each other by 17 nucleotides in the D1/D2 region and by 68 nucleotides in the ITS region. Cryptococcus bestiolae is a sister species to Cryptococcus sp. CBS 8507, from which it differs by eight nucleotides in the D1/D2 region and 59 nucleotides in the ITS region. Cryptococcus dejecticola and B. dendrophila differed by 13 nucleotides in the D1/D2 and 57 nucleotides in the ITS region. Cryptococcus bestiolae and Cr. dejecticola formed with B. dendrophila a well defined clade consisting of insect associated species. The type strain of Cr. bestiolae is TH3.2.59 (=CBS 10118=NRRL Y-27894), and the type strain of Cr. dejecticola is Litch 17 (=CBS 10117=NRRL Y-27898).     

New species and new combinations in the yeast genera Kregervanrija gen. nov., Saturnispora and Candida

Analysis of nucleotide sequences from the domains 1 and 2 of the large-subunit rDNA demonstrated species of the Pichia fluxuum clade to be phylogenetically isolated, and domains 1 and 2 and internal transcribed spacer rDNA sequence analyses of strains phenotypically identified as P. fluxuum resulted in the discovery of three new species. From this work, the following new genus, new species, and new combinations are proposed: Kregervanrija gen. nov.; type species Kregervanrija fluxuum comb. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-4273, CBS 2287); Kregervanrija delftensis comb. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-7119, CBS 2614); Kregervanrija pseudodelftensis sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-5494, CBS 10105); Saturnispora besseyi comb. nov. (NRRL YB-4711, CBS 6343); Saturnispora mendoncae sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-11515, CBS 5620); and Candida abiesophila sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-11514, CBS 5366).     

New anamorphic yeast species: Candida infanticola sp. nov., Candida polysorbophila sp. nov., Candida transvaalensis sp. nov. and Trigonopsis californica sp. nov

Three new species of Candida and a new species of Trigonopsis are described based on their recognition from phylogenetic analysis of gene sequences from large subunit ribosomal RNA, ITS1/ITS2 rRNA, mitochondrial small subunit rRNA and cytochrome oxidase II. Candida infanticola sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-17858, CBS 7922) was isolated from the ear of an infant in Germany and is closely related to Candida sorbophila. Candida polysorbophila sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-27161, CBS 7317) is a member of the Zygoascus clade and was isolated in South Africa as a contaminant from an emulsion of white oil and polysorbate. Candida transvaalensis sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-27140, CBS 6663) was obtained from forest litter, the Transvaal, South Africa, and forms an isolated clade with Candida santjacobensis. Trigonopsis californica sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-27307, CBS 10351) represents a contaminant from wine in California, and forms a well-supported clade with Trigonopsis cantarellii, Trigonopsis variabilis and Trigonopsis vinaria.     

Six new anamorphic ascomycetous yeasts near Candida tanzawaensis

Six new species of the yeast genus Candida are described from their unique nucleotide sequences in the D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA. Five of these species form a clade with Candida tanzawaensis, and the sixth is basal to this group. The new species and their sources of isolation are the following: Candida ambrosiae (type strain NRRL YB-1316, CBS 8844), from insect frass, rotted wood and mushroom fruiting bodies; Candida canberraensis (type strain NRRL YB-2417, CBS 8846), from soil; Candida caryicola (type strain NRRL YB-1499, CBS 8847), from a pignut hickory tree; Candida prunicola (type strain NRRL YB-869, CBS 8848), from exuded gum of a black cherry tree; Candida pyralidae (type strain NRRL Y-27085, CBS 5035), from insect frass; Candida xylopsoci (type strain NRRL Y-27066, CBS 6037), from insect frass.     

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)).     

Four novel species of the anamorphic yeast genus Candida found in Thailand and Taiwan

Four strains of yeasts isolated in Thailand and Taiwan were found to represent four distinct novel species of the ascomycetous anamorphic yeast genus Candida. These strains are located in the Clavispora-Metschnikowia clade in a phylogenetic tree based on the D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit rRNA genes. Together with Candida picinguabensis and Candida saopaulonensis, the four novel species constitute a well-separated subclade from other species of the Clavispora-Metschnikowia clade. Three species from Thailand are described as Candida bambusicola sp. nov. (type strain, ST-50(T) = BCC 7750(T) = NBRC 106734(T) = CBS 11723(T)), Candida nongkhaiensis sp. nov. (type strain, ST-95(T) = BCC 8331(T) = NBRC 105874(T) =CBS 11724(T)) and Candida succicola sp. nov. (type strain, ST-631(T) = BCC 15314(T) = NBRC 106736(T) = CBS 11726(T)), respectively, and the species from Taiwan is described as Candida touchengensis sp. nov. (type strain, SY4S03(T) = NBRC 102647(T) = BCRC 23097(T) = CBS 10585(T)).     

Candida riodocensis and Candida cellae, two new yeast species from the Starmerella clade associated with solitary bees in the Atlantic rain forest of Brazil

Two new ascomycetous yeast species belonging to the Starmerella clade were discovered in nests of two solitary bee species in the Atlantic rain forest of Brazil. Candida riodocensis was isolated from pollen-nectar provisions, larvae and fecal pellets of nests of Megachile sp., and Candida cellae was found in pollen-nectar provisions of Centris tarsata. Analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 large-subunit ribosomal DNA showed that C. riodocensis is phylogenetically related to C. batistae, and the closest relative of C. cellae is C. etchellsii. The type strains are C. riodocensis UFMG-MG02 (=CBS 10087(T) = NRRL Y-27859(T)) and C. cellae UFMG-PC04 (=CBS 10086(T) = NRRL Y-27860(T)).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichomonascus petasosporus</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sympodiomyces indianaensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., two new members of the Saccharomycetales

Two new yeasts are described that were recognized as novel from nucleotide divergence in domains D1/D2 of 26S rDNA. The new species and their type strains are the following: Trichomonascus petasosporus NRRL YB-2092T (CBS 9602T), mating type a, NRRL YB-2093 (CBS 9603), mating type alpha, and Sympodiomyces indianaensis NRRL YB-1950T (CBS 9600T). Phylogenetic analysis placed the two new taxa, which are sister species, in the Sympodiomyces clade near Blastobotrys/Stephanoascus farinosus. Placement of Trichomonascus in the Saccharomycetales resolves the earlier uncertainties surrounding the classification of this morphologically unusual genus.     

Pichia cecembensis sp. nov. isolated from a papaya fruit (Carica papaya L., Caricaceae)

The ascogenous yeast YS16T was isolated from a decaying papaya fruit. Phenotypic traits such as multilateral budding, spheroidal or elongate shape, pseudohyphae formation, asci with one or more ascospores, ability to ferment d-glucose, inability to assimilate nitrate and the presence of Q7 ubiquinone suggest its affiliation to the genus Pichia. The nearest phylogenetic neighbor, based on D1/D2 domain sequence of the 26S rRNA gene and ITS region sequence, was identified as Issatchenkia orientalis (NRRL Y-5396T, a synonym of Pichia kudriavzevii) with similarities of 98.2% and 97% respectively. In addition to the difference in the D1/D2 and ITS region sequence, YS16T differs from I. orientalis with respect to a number of phenotypic traits. However, in the phylogenetic analysis, YS16T showed close relatedness to the P. membranifaciens clade. Thus, it is proposed to assign the status of a new species to YS16T, for which the name P. cecembensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of P. cecembensis sp. nov. is YS16T (=NRRL Y-27985T=JCM 13873T=CBS 10445T).     

Metschnikowia santaceciliae,Candida hawaiiana,and Candida kipukae,three new yeast species associated with insects of tropical morning glory

A new haplontic heterothallic species of Metschnikowia and two related asexual yeast species were discovered in morning glory flowers and associated insects. Metschnikowia santaceciliae came from Conotelus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and other insect species associated with flowers of Ipomoea indica (purple morph) in Costa Rica. Candida hawaiiana and Candida kipukae were found in I. indica (syn. I. acuminata) and its insects in Hawai'i, and the former was also isolated in a specimen of Conotelus collected on Merremia tuberosa (Convolvulaceae) in Costa Rica. The three species have nearly identical physiological profiles, typical of the genus Metschnikowia. The sequences of the D1/D2 domains of their large subunit ribosomal DNA confirm that the species belong to the Metschnikowia clade, even though they share a very low degree of inter-relatedness. M. santaceciliae is a sister species to Metschnikowia continentalis. C. kipukae is a basal member of the large-spored Metschnikowia subclade, and C. hawaiiana has a weak affinity to Metschnikowia agaves. Two of the three species appear to be endemic. The type cultures are: Metschnikowia santaceciliae, strains UWO(PS)01-517a1=CBS 9148=NRRL Y-27475 (h(+, holotype) and UWO(PS)01-520a1=CBS 9149=NRRL Y-27476 (h-, isotype); Candida hawaiiana, strain UWO(PS)91-698.3=CBS 9146=NRRL Y-27473; Candida kipukae, strain UWO(PS)00-669.2=CBS 9147=NRRL Y-27474.     

New species and a new combination in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyphopichia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yarrowia</Emphasis> yeast clades

Three new species of Candida and a new combination in the genus Hyphopichia are proposed from phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide divergence in domains D1/D2 of the large subunit (26S) rDNA. The new taxa and their type strains are the following: Candida bentonensis sp. nov. (NRRL YB-2364, CBS 9994), Candida hispaniensis sp. nov. (NRRL Y-5580, CBS 9996), Candida pseudorhagii sp. nov. (NRRL YB-2076, CBS 9998) and Hyphopichia heimii comb. nov. (NRRL Y-7502, CBS 6139), basionym Pichia heimii Pignal. Phylogenetic analysis placed C. pseudorhagii and H. heimii in the Hyphopichia clade whereas C. bentonensis and C. hispaniensis are members of the Yarrowia clade.     

Repression of xylose-specific enzymes by ethanol in Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis and utility of repitching xylose-grown populations to eliminate diauxic lag

During the fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolyzates to ethanol by native pentose-fermenting yeasts such as Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis NRRL Y-7124 (CBS 5773) and Pachysolen tannophilus NRRL Y-2460, the switch from glucose to xylose uptake results in a diauxic lag unless process strategies to prevent this are applied. When yeast were grown on glucose and resuspended in mixed sugars, the length of this lag was observed to be a function of the glucose concentration consumed (and consequently, the ethanol concentration accumulated) prior to the switch from glucose to xylose fermentation. At glucose concentrations of 95 g/L, the switch to xylose utilization was severely stalled such that efficient xylose fermentation could not occur. Further investigation focused on the impact of ethanol on cellular xylose transport and the induction and maintenance of xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase activities when large cell populations of S. stipitis NRRL Y-7124 were pre-grown on glucose or xylose and then presented mixtures of glucose and xylose for fermentation. Ethanol concentrations around 50 g/L fully repressed enzyme induction although xylose transport into the cells was observed to be occurring. Increasing degrees of repression were documented between 15 and 45 g/L ethanol. Repitched cell populations grown on xylose resulted in faster fermentation rates, particularly on xylose but also on glucose, and eliminated diauxic lag and stalling during mixed sugar conversion by P. tannophilus or S. stipitis, despite ethanol accumulations in the 60 or 70 g/L range, respectively. The process strategy of priming cells on xylose was key to the successful utilization of high mixed sugar concentrations because specific enzymes for xylose utilization could be induced before ethanol concentration accumulated to an inhibitory level.     

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)).     

Metschnikowia arizonensis and Metschnikowia dekortorum,two new large-spored yeast species associated with floricolous beetles

Two new haplontic heterothallic species of Metschnikowia were discovered in flowers and associated beetles. Metschnikowia arizonensis was recovered from flowers of cholla cactus (Opuntia echinocarpa) and a specimen of Carpophilus sp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) found in these flowers, in Arizona. Metschnikowia dekortorum was isolated in specimens of the nitidulid beetle Conotelus sp. captured in flowers of two species of Ipomoea in northwestern Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. The sexual cycle of these yeasts is typical of the large-spored Metschnikowia species, but the asci and spores are intermediate in size between these and other members of the genus. The physiology is consistent with that of most Metschnikowia species except that both species fail to utilize lysine as sole nitrogen source. Also, M. arizonensis utilizes fewer carbon compounds than most species and exhibits considerable variability among strains at this level. Partial ribosomal DNA large-subunit (D1/D2) sequences suggest that M. arizonensis and M. dekortorum are moderately related sister species whose positions are intermediate between the large-spored species Metschnikowia and Metschnikowia hibisci. The type cultures are: M. arizonensis, strains UWO(PS)99-103.3.1=CBS 9064=NRRL Y-27427 (h(+), holotype) and UWO(PS)99-103.4=CBS 9065=NRRL Y-27428 (h(-), isotype); and M. dekortorum, strains UWO(PS)01-142b3=CBS 9063=NRRL Y-27429 (h(+), holotype) and UWO(PS)01-138a3=CBS 9062=NRRL Y-27430 (h(-), isotype).     

Three new anascosporic genera of the Saccharomycotina: Danielozyma gen. nov., Deakozyma gen. nov. and Middelhovenomyces gen. nov

Three new non-ascosporic, ascomycetous yeast genera are proposed based on their isolation from currently described species and genera. Phylogenetic placement of the genera was determined from analysis of nuclear gene sequences for D1/D2 large subunit rRNA, small subunit rRNA, translation elongation factor-1α and RNA polymerase II, subunits B1 and B2. The new taxa are: Deakozyma gen. nov., type species Deakozyma indianensis sp. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-1937, CBS 12903); Danielozyma gen. nov., type species Danielozyma ontarioensis comb. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-1246, CBS 8502); D. litseae comb. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-3246, CBS 8799); Middelhovenomyces gen. nov., type species Middelhovenomyces tepae comb. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-17670, CBS 5115) and M. petrohuensis comb. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-17663, CBS 8173).