MycoBank MB Research Articles

Taxogenomic analyses of Starmerella gilliamiae f.a, sp. nov. and Starmerella monicapupoae f.a., sp. nov., two novel species isolated from plant substrates and insects.

Four yeast isolates collected from flowers from different ecosystems in Brazil, one from fruit of Nothofagus alpina in Argentina, three from flowers of Neltuma chilensis in Chile and one obtained from the proventriculus of a female bumblebee in Canada were demonstred, by analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene, to represent two novel species of the genus Starmerella. These species are described here as Starmerella gilliamiae f.a, sp. nov. (CBS 16166T; Mycobank MB 851206) and Starmerella monicapupoae f.a., sp. nov. (PYCC 8997T; Mycobank MB 851207). The results of a phylogenomic analysis using 1037 single-copy orthogroups indicated that S. gilliamiae is a member of a subclade that contains Starmerella opuntiae, Starmerella aceti and Starmerella apicola. The results also indicated that S. monicapupoae is phylogenetically related to Starmerella riodocensis. The two isolates of S. monicapupoae were obtained from flowers in Brazil and were probably vectored by insects that visit these substrates. Starmerella gilliamiae has a wide geographical distribution having been isolated in flowers from Brazil and Chile, fruit from Argentina and a bumblebee from Canada.

Spencermartinsiella henanensis fa., sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from rotting wood.

Two yeast strains (NYNU 211162 and NYNU 211275) were isolated from rotting wood collected in the Baotianman Nature Reserve, Henan Province, central China. Phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed that the strains represent a phylogenetically distinct species within the genus Spencermartinsiella. The name Spencermartinsiella henanensis fa., sp. nov. is proposed for this species with holotype CICC 33543T (Mycobank MB 851142). S. henanensis sp. nov. differed by only 3 nt (~0.5 %) substitutions from the closest known species S. europaea NCAIM Y.01817T in the D1/D2 domain, but by 33 nt (~6 %) substitutions, 34 nt (~3.8 %) substitutions, 30 nt (~5.6 %) substitutions and 75 nt (~9.9 %) substitutions in the ITS region and the partial TEF1, COXII and RPB2 genes. Additionally, S. henanensis sp. nov. can be physiologically distinguished from S. europaea by its ability to assimilate inulin, inability to assimilate ethylamine and cadaverine, and incapability of growth at 30 °C.

Danielozyma pruni sp. nov., an asexual yeast species isolated from insect frass.

Two strains (NYNU 218101 and NYNU 218104) of an asexual yeast species were isolated from insect frass collected in insect tunnels of red leaf plum trees in the Henan Province, central China. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region showed that these two strains belonged to the genus Danielozyma, with Danielozyma litseae as the closest known species. They differed from the type strain of D. litseae by 0.6 % substitutions (three substitutions and one gap) in the D1/D2 domain and by 5.1 % substitutions (19 substitutions and six gaps) in the ITS region, respectively. When compared with the partial ACT1, TEF1 and RPB1 gene sequences, they differed by 3 % (26 substitutions), 2.7 % (25 substitutions) and 9 %(54 substitutions) from D. litseae NRRL YB-3246T in these regions. Physiologically, they also differed from its closest known species D. litseae based on the ability to assimilate inulin and galactitol, as well as to grow in 0.1 % cycloheximide and its inability to ferment maltose and raffinose. In order to classify the two new isolates based on morphological and molecular evidence, we proposed the description of a novel species Danielozyma pruni sp. nov. with strain JCM 35735T as holotype (Mycobank MB 849101).

Teunomyces gombertii f.a., sp. nov., Teunomyces landelliae f.a., sp. nov., Teunomyces ledahaglerae f.a., sp. nov. and Teunomyces paulamoraisiae f.a., sp. nov., four yeast species isolated from mushrooms and drosophilids in a Brazilian Amazonian rainforest biome.

Ten yeast isolates representing four candidate novel species of the genus Teunomyces were obtained from different species of mushrooms and drosophilids collected in an Amazonian Forest biome in Brazil. Sequence analyses of the ITS 5.8S region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that four isolates were phylogenetically related to Teunomyces stri, two isolates related to Teunomyces atbi, two isolates related to Teunomyces aglyptinius, and another two isolates related to Teunomyces aglyptinius, Teunomyces barrocoloradensis, Teunomyces gatunensis and Teunomyces stri. The four novel species differ by 3 % or more of sequence divergence in D1/D2 domains from their closest relatives. These species were isolated from basidiocarps of the mushrooms Marasmiellus volvatus, Tricholomopsis aurea, Hydropus sp. and Favolus tenuiculus, or drosophilids feeding on these substrates. The names Teunomyces gombertii f.a., sp. nov. (holotype CBS 16168T; Mycobank MB849065), Teunomyces landelliae f.a., sp. nov. (holotype =CBS 16169T; Mycobank MB 849066), Teunomyces ledahaglerae f.a., sp. nov. (holotype CBS 16170T; Mycobank MB 849067) and Teunomyces paulamoraisiae f.a., sp. nov. (holotype CBS 16120T; Mycobank MB 849068) are proposed for these species.

Hanseniaspora menglaensis f.a., sp. nov., a novel apiculate yeast species isolated from rotting wood.

Two apiculate strains (NYNU 181072 and NYNU 181083) of a bipolar budding yeast species were isolated from rotting wood samples collected in Xishuangbanna Tropical Rainforest in Yunnan Province, southwest PR China. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and the results of phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the actin (ACT1) gene, the two strains were found to represent a single novel species of the genus Hanseniaspora, for which the name Hanseniaspora menglaensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype CICC 33364T; MycoBank MB 847437) is proposed. In the phylogenetic tree, H. menglaensis sp. nov. showed a close relationship with Hanseniaspora lindneri, Hanseniaspora mollemarum, Hanseniaspora smithiae and Hanseniaspora valbyensis. H. menglaensis sp. nov. differed from H. lindneri, the most closely related known species, by 1.2 % substitutions in the D1/D2 domain, 2.5 % substitutions in the ITS region and 5.4 % substitutions in the ACT1 gene, respectively. Physiologically, H. menglaensis sp. nov. can also be distinguished from H. lindneri by its ability to assimilate d-gluconate.

Spencerozyma pingqiaoensis sp. nov., a yeast species isolated from the external surface of rice leaves in China.

Four strains (NYNU 178247, NYNU 178251, DMKU-PAL160 and DMKU-PAL137) representing a novel yeast species were isolated from the external surfaces of rice and pineapple leaves collected in China and Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene revealed that the novel species belonged to the genus Spencerozyma. The D1/D2 sequence of the novel species differed from its closest relative, Spencerozyma acididurans SYSU-17T, by 3.2 % sequence divergence. The species also differed from Spencerozyma crocea CBS 2029T and Spencerozyma siamensis DMKU13-2T, by 3.0-6.9 % sequence divergence in the D1/D2 sequences out of 592 bp. In the ITS regions, the novel species displayed 19.8-29.2% sequence divergence from S. acididurans SYSU-17T, S. crocea CBS 2029T and S. siamensis DMKU13-2T out of 655 bp. Furthermore, the novel species could also be differentiated from the closely related species by some physiological characteristics. The species name of Spencerozyma pingqiaoensis sp. nov. (Holotype CBS 15238, Mycobank MB 844734) is proposed to accommodate these four strains.

Torulaspora jiuxiensis sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from rotting wood.

Two strains of a novel ascomycetous yeast species were isolated from rotting wood samples collected in Jiuxi Mountain Forest Park in Yunnan Province, southwest China. Both strains formed one or two spherical ascospores in persistent asci. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene revealed that the novel strains represented a phylogenetically distinct species belonging to the genus Torulaspora. This novel species differed from the type strains of the closest known species, Torulaspora nypae and Torulaspora maleeae, by 0.9 and 1.2 % nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domain and 5.3 and 6 % nucleotide substitutions in the ITS region, respectively. The novel species can also be distinguished from T. nypae and T. maleeae in terms of the ability to assimilate ribitol, succinate and citrate, and its ability to grow at 37 °C. The species name of Torulaspora jiuxiensis sp. nov. is proposed with holotype CBS 16004T (Mycobank MB 844535).

Hyphopichia xiaguanensis f.a., sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species isolated from plant leaves.

Two strains representing a novel yeast species were isolated from plant leaves collected in the Baotianman Nature Reserve in Henan Province, central China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene revealed that the novel species belonged to the genus Hyphopichia, although the formation of ascospores was not observed. The novel species was related most closely to Hyphopichia paragotoi CBS 13913T but they differed by 0.9 % sequence divergence (five substitutions) in the D1/D2 domain and by 3.7 % sequence divergence (seven substitutions and eight gaps) in the ITS region. Furthermore, the novel species can also be differentiated from the closely related species in some biochemical and physiological characteristics. The species name of Hyphopichia xiaguanensis f.a., sp. nov. (Holotype CBS 16668, Mycobank MB 842425) is proposed to accommodate strains NYNU 20899T and NYNU 20914.

Teunia rosae sp. nov. and Teunia rudbeckiae sp. nov. (Cryptococcaceae, Tremellales), two novel basidiomycetous yeast species isolated from flowers.

Three yeast strains isolated from three flower samples were identified as representing two novel species of Teunia based on molecular phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic comparisons. Strains 12A8 and 21S4 with pink cream colonies and subglobose to globose cells had identical sequences in the ITS and LSU D1/D2 regions, which differed from strain X54 with cream colonies and ovoid to ellipsoidal cells by 6 nt substitutions (1 %) and 9 nt mismatches (1.5 %) in the D1/D2 domains and ITS region, respectively. They could also be distinguished from each other in assimilation of glucitol and salicin, growth at 28 °C and cell fibrillar appendages under scanning electron microscopy. The three strains differed from known species of Teunia by more than 8 nt (1.3 %) and 30 nt (5 %) in the D1/D2 domains and ITS region, respectively. Therefore, the names Teunia rudbeckiae sp. nov. (Holotype CGMCC 2.5840, Mycobank MB 835892) and Teunia rosae sp. nov. (Holotype CGMCC 2.5830, MycoBank MB 835891) are proposed to accommodate strain X54, and strains 12A8 and 21S4, respectively.

The yeast community of Conotelus sp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in Brazilian passionfruit flowers (Passiflora edulis) and description of Metschnikowia amazonensis sp. nov., a large-spored clade yeast.

Species of the nitidulid beetle Conotelus found in flowers of Convolvulaceae and other plants across the New World and in Hawaii consistently harbour a yeast community dominated by one or more large-spored Metschnikowia species. We investigated the yeasts found in beetles and flowers of cultivated passionfruit in Rondônia state, in the Amazon biome of Brazil, where a Conotelus species damages the flowers and hinders fruit production. A sample of 46 beetles and 49 flowers yielded 86 and 83 yeast isolates, respectively. Whereas the flower community was dominated by Kodamaea ohmeri and Kurtzmaniella quercitrusa, the major yeasts recovered from beetles were Wickerhamiella occidentalis, which is commonly isolated from this community, and a novel species of large-spored Metschnikowia in the arizonensis subclade, which we describe here as Metschnikowia amazonensis sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses based on barcode sequences (ITS-D1/D2) and a multigene alignment of 11,917 positions (genes ura2, msh6, and pmt2) agreed to place the new species as a sister to Metschnikowia arizonensis, a rare species known only from one locality in Arizona. The two form sterile asci when mated, which is typical of related members of the clade. The α pheromone of the new species is unique but typical of the subclade. The type of M. amazonensis sp. nov. is UFMG-CM-Y6309T (ex-type CBS 16156T , mating type a), and the designated allotype (mating type α) is UFMG-CM-Y6307A (CBS 16155A ). MycoBank MB 833560.

Hanseniaspora terricola sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast isolated from Tibet.

Eight apiculate strains isolated from Tibet, PR China, were identified as Hanseniaspora taiwanica and a novel species of Hanseniaspora based on the sequence analysis of the ITS region, the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA and the translation elongation factor 1-a (TEF1) gene. Among them, four strains with identical sequences of D1/D2 and ITS formed a separate branch from the known Hanseniaspora species in the phylogenetic trees, and differed from the known species by at least 17 (3 %) nucleotide (nt) substitutions in the D1/D2 domains and more than 6 % substitutions and inserts/deletes in the ITS region. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that those four strains represent a novel species of Hanseniaspora, for which the names Hanseniaspora terricola sp. nov. (holotype CGMCC 2.6175T; MycoBank MB 834591) is proposed. The other four strains belonging to H. taiwanica produce spherical, void or fusiform ascospores, which differ from the original description that ascospores are absent.

Graphiola fimbriata: the first species of Graphiolaceae (Exobasidiales, Basidiomycota) described only based on its yeast stage

The systematic position of three yeast strains isolated from a plant cell culture, a piece of termite nest, or as a foliar endophyte of Coffea arabica, respectively, is evaluated using morphological, physiological, and phylogenetical characteristics. In culture, all three isolates produced white, pale orange to pink colored colonies of cylindrical cells with monopolar budding and pseudohyphae. Standard phenotypic, biochemical, physiological characterization, and phylogenetic analyses of the combined 26S rRNA gene (D1/D2 domains) and ITS region sequences showed the conspecificity of these isolates and suggest their placement within the Exobasidiales (Ustilaginomycotina) as a sister lineage of the sampled and sequenced Graphiola species. Here, we describe this species as Graphiola fimbriata sp. nov. MycoBank MB 825077 (holotype: PC1T; ex-type cultures: IBRC-M 30158T = CBS 13945T = DSM 104832T). This is the first species described in the genus Graphiola for which only the asexual, saprobic developmental phase is known. The description of the genus Graphiola is therefore emended to allow species known only from a saprobic state.

Four new species of Metschnikowia and the transfer of seven Candida species to Metschnikowia and Clavispora as new combinations.

From comparisons of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and gene sequences for nuclear D1/D2 LSU rRNA, nuclear SSU (18S) rRNA, translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α) and RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (RPB2), the following four new ascosporogenous yeast species were resolved and are described as Metschnikowia anglica (NRRL Y-7298T [type strain], CBS 15342, MycoBank MB 823167), Metschnikowia leonuri (NRRL Y-6546T, CBS 15341, MB 823166), Metschnikowia peoriensis (NRRL Y-5942T, CBS 15345, MB 823164) and Metschnikowia rubicola (NRRL Y-6064T, CBS 15344, MB 823165). The following six species of Candida are members of the Metschnikowia clade and are proposed for transfer to Metschnikowia as new combinations: Candida chrysomelidarum (NRRL Y-27749T, CBS 9904, MB 823223), Candida gelsemii (NRRL Y-48212T, CBS 10509, MB 823192), Candida kofuensis (NRRL Y-27226T, CBS 8058, MB 823195), Candida picachoensis (NRRL Y-27607T, CBS 9804, MB 823197), Candida pimensis (NRRL Y-27619T, CBS 9805, MB 823205) and Candida rancensis (NRRL Y-48702T, CBS 8174, MB 823224). Candida fructus (NRRL Y-17072T, CBS 6380, MB 823206) is transferred to Clavispora as a new combination, and Candida musae is shown to be a synonym of C. fructus. Apparent multiple alleles for ITS, D1/D2, EF1-α and RPB2 were detected in strains of some species.

Description of Dioszegia patagonica sp. nov., a novel carotenogenic yeast isolated from cold environments.

During a survey of carotenogenic yeasts from cold and oligotrophic environments in Patagonia, several yeasts of the genus Dioszegia (Tremellales, Agaricomycotina) were detected, including three strains that could not be assigned to any known taxa. Analyses of internal transcribed spacer and D1/D2 regions of the large subunit rRNA gene showed these strains are conspecific with several other strains found in the Italian Alps and in Antarctica soil. Phylogenetic analyses showed that 19 of these strains represent a novel yeast species of the genus Dioszegia. The name Dioszegia patagonica sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains and CRUB 1147T (UFMG 195T=CBMAI 1564T=DBVPG 10618T=CBS 14901T; MycoBank MB 819782) was designated as the type strain. This Dioszegia species accumulates biotechnologically valuable compounds such as carotenoid pigments and mycosporines.

Description of Groenewaldozyma gen. nov. for placement of Candida auringiensis, Candida salmanticensis and Candida tartarivorans.

DNA sequence analyses have demonstrated that species of the polyphyletic anamorphic ascomycete genus Candida may be members of described teleomorphic genera, members of the Candida tropicalis clade upon which the genus Candida is circumscribed, or members of isolated clades that represent undescribed genera. From phylogenetic analysis of gene sequences from nuclear large subunit rRNA, mitochondrial small subunit rRNA and cytochrome oxidase II, Candida auringiensis (NRRL Y-17674(T), CBS 6913(T)), Candida salmanticensis (NRRL Y-17090(T), CBS 5121(T)), and Candida tartarivorans (NRRL Y-27291(T), CBS 7955(T)) were shown to be members of an isolated clade and are proposed for reclassification in the genus Groenewaldozyma gen. nov. (MycoBank MB 815817). Neighbouring taxa include species of the Wickerhamiella clade and Candida blankii.

The lichen family Physciaceae in Thailand—II. Contributions to the genus Heterodermia sensu lato

A revision of 245 Heterodermia s.lat. collections from Thailand preserved in RAMK, herb. F. Schumm and herb. K. Kalb is presented. The 39 species found in this material are assigned to the genera Heterodermia Trevis. s.str. with a lower cortex and Pachysporaria-type ascospores (without sporoblastidia), Leucodermia Kalb, gen. nov., with foliose to subfruticose, linear-elongate, ribbon-like, dichotomously branched lobes, loosely attached to the substrate, without a lower cortex, apothecia often with pruinose discs and Polyblastidium-type ascospores (with sporoblastidia) and Polyblastidium Kalb, gen. nov. distinguished by a foliose thallus attached to the substrate, no lower cortex and mostly Polyblastidium-type ascospores. The remaining species are assigned to groups without a formal generic name, awaiting further results from molecular phylogenies. The Heterodermia comosa group contains species which are similar to Leucodermia, but differ in having a subfruticose or rosulate thallus with ascending, spathulate or paddle-shaped lobes and the Heterodermia obscurata group which contains species with a fluffy cottony woolly lower surface which is totally or at least partly impregnated by anthraquinones. Standardized descriptions are provided for all the better known Heterodermia species s.str. worldwide and all other species found in the material studied or reported for Thailand in the literature, as well as species which might be expected to occur in the country. The new species, Leucodermia borphyllidiata Kalb & Meesim, similar to L. boryi, but differing in having a phyllidiate thallus is described, and the new combinations, Leucodermia appalachensis (Kurok.) Kalb, L. arsenii (Kurok.) Kalb, L. boryi (Fée) Kalb, L. ciliatomarginata (Linder) Kalb, L. circinalis (Zahlbr.) Kalb, L. fertilis (Moberg) Kalb, L. leucomelos (L.) Kalb, L. lutescens (Kurok.) Kalb, L. vulgaris (Vain.) Kalb, Polyblastidium appendiculatum (Kurok.) Kalb, P. casarettianum (A. Massal.) Kalb, P. corallophorum (Taylor) Kalb, P. dendriticum (Pers.) Kalb, P. fragilissimum (Kurok.) Kalb, P. hypocaesium (Yasuda) Kalb, P. hypoleucum (Ach.) Kalb, P. japonicum (M. Satô) Kalb, P. magellanicum (Zahlbr.) Kalb, P. microphyllum (Kurok.) Kalb, P. neglectum (Lendemer, R.C. Harris & Tripp) Kalb, comb. nov. [Mycobank MB 813853; Basionym: Heterodermia neglecta Lendemer, R.C. Harris & Tripp, The Bryologist 110(3): 490 (2007)], P. propaguliferum (Vain.) Kalb, P. queenslandicum (Elix) Kalb, P. subneglectum (Elix) Kalb and P. violostriatum (Elix) Kalb, are made. Chaudhuria Zahlbr. is a synonym of Heterodermia s.str. and Chaudhuria indica Zahlbr. is an older synonym for Heterodermia verdonii Elix, but as the name Heterodermia indica (H. Magn.) D.D. Awasthi already exists for another species, the correct name for this taxon reverts to H. verdonii. Chemical analyses revealed that Heterodermia reagens (Kurok.) Elix must be placed into synonymy with Polyblastidium propaguliferum (Vain.) Kalb. Dichotomous keys for the identification of all species are provided. Characteristic TLC profiles for selected species are presented and Rf values for the most important terpenes and pigments are given for the first time in the standard solvents A, B' and C. Photographs showing the species as well as characteristic structures in the genera and groups are also provided. A new epitype for H. comosa from Réunion is designated.

Description of Martiniozyma gen. nov. and transfer of seven Candida species to Saturnispora as new combinations.

DNA sequence analysis has shown Candida abiesophila (NRRL Y-11514(T), CBS 5366(T)) and Candida asiatica (NRRL Y-63747(T), CBS 10863(T)) to be members of a small clade that is phylogenetically separate from other yeasts. In view of their isolation from neighboring genera, such as Pichia and Saturnispora, the two anamorphic species are proposed for transfer to Martiniozyma gen. nov. (MycoBank MB 812061) with Martiniozyma abiesophila designated as type species (MycoBank MB 812062). In keeping with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, which specifies that related anamorphic and teleomorphic species can be assigned to the same genus, the following Candida species are transferred to Saturnispora to conform with their phylogenetic placement: Candida diversa (NRRL Y-5713(T)), Candida halmiae (CBS 11009(T)), Candida sanitii (CBS 10864(T)), Candida sekii (CBS 10931(T)), Candida siamensis (CBS 11022(T)), Candida silvae (NRRL Y-6725(T)) and Candida suwanaritii (CBS 11021(T)).

Starmerella neotropicalis f. a., sp. nov., a yeast species found in bees and pollen

A novel yeast species was found repeatedly and in high cell densities in underground-nesting stingless bees of the species Melipona quinquefasciata and their provisions in northern Minas Gerais (Brazil). One additional strain was isolated from bee-collected pollen in Cuba. Phylogenetic analyses based on rRNA gene sequences (D1/D2 large subunit gene and internal transcribed spacer) indicated that the novel species belongs to the Starmerella clade and is most closely related to Candida (iter. nom. Starmerella) apicola. Growth reactions on carbon and nitrogen sources were typical of those observed in related species of the Starmerella clade. PCR-fingerprinting with mini- and microsatellite specific primers allowed the distinction of the novel species from Candida apicola, Candida bombi and a yet undescribed species represented by strain CBS 4353. On the basis of phylogenetic relationships, the novel species is assigned to the genus Starmerella despite the failure to observe sexual reproduction after extensive mating tests. We propose the name Starmerella neotropicalis f. a., sp. nov. (Mycobank MB 804285) and designate UFMG PST 09(T) ( = MUCL 53320(T) = CBS 12811(T)) as the type strain.