An Updated Global Species Diversity and Phylogeny in the Genus Wickerhamomyces with Addition of Two New Species from Thailand.

Supakorn Nundaeng,Surapong Khuna,Jaturong Kumla,Savitree Limtong,Saisamorn Lumyong,Nakarin Suwannarach

doi:10.3390/jof7110957

Abstract

Ascomycetous yeast species in the genus Wickerhamomyces (Saccharomycetales, Wickerhamomycetaceae) are isolated from various habitats and distributed throughout the world. Prior to this study, 35 species had been validly published and accepted into this genus. Beneficially, Wickerhamomyces species have been used in a number of biotechnologically applications of environment, food, beverage industries, biofuel, medicine and agriculture. However, in some studies, Wickerhamomyces species have been identified as an opportunistic human pathogen. Through an overview of diversity, taxonomy and recently published literature, we have updated a brief review of Wickerhamomyces. Moreover, two new Wickerhamomyces species were isolated from the soil samples of Assam tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) that were collected from plantations in northern Thailand. Herein, we have identified these species as W. lannaensis and W. nanensis. The identification of these species was based on phenotypic (morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics) and molecular analyses. Phylogenetic analyses of a combination of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA genes support that W. lannaensis and W. nanensis are distinct from other species within the genus Wickerhamomyces. A full description, illustrations and a phylogenetic tree showing the position of both new species have been provided. Accordingly, a new combination species, W. myanmarensis has been proposed based on the phylogenetic results. A new key for species identification is provided.

Highlights

IntroductionThe genus Wickerhamomyces was first proposed by Kurtzman et al [1] in 2008 with
The genus Wickerhamomyces was first proposed by Kurtzman et al [1] in 2008 withW. canadensis as the type species
Our analysis confirmed that W. myanmarensis belonged to the genus Wickerhamomyces according to the phylogenetic results of Arastehfar et al [8] and Shimizu et al [65]

Summary

Introduction

The genus Wickerhamomyces was first proposed by Kurtzman et al [1] in 2008 with. W. canadensis (basionym Hansenula canadensis) as the type species. This genus belongs to the family Wickerhamomycetaceae of the order Saccharomycetales [1]. Wickerhamomyces species can reproduce both asexually and sexually. The species reproduce by budding and some species produce pseudohyphae and/or true hyphae. In sexual reproduction they produce hat-shaped or spherical ascospores with an equatorial ledge for sexual reproduction [1,2]. Most of the known Wickerhamomyces species can utilize various carbon sources, but not methanol or hexadecane

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Conclusion