Spathaspora quercus f.a., sp. nov., a novel yeast isolated from rotting wood and a lichen sample in Kyushu region, Japan.

Abstract

Four novel d-xylose assimilation yeast strains were isolated from rotting wood and a lichen sample collected in the Kyushu region of Japan. Species identifications were performed by analysing the internal transcribed spacer 5.8S region sequences and the D1/D2 variable domain of the large subunit rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that these isolates are closely related to Spathaspora species isolated in China, such as S. jiuxiensis and S. parajiuxiensis. These isolates also showed sequence similarity to deposited sequences labelled as Schwanniomyces. They did not produce asci and ascospores under any of the test conditions. Based on phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic differences, Spathaspora quercus f.a., sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these isolates. The holotype of Spathaspora quercus f.a., sp. nov. is NBRC 116146T (CBS18366). This species is able to ferment d-xylose, and a d-xylose fermentation test revealed that this species produces a considerable amount of xylitol.