Wickerhamiella lachancei f.a. sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast species isolated from flowers of Lantana camara in India

Two isolates representing a novel species of the genus Wickerhamiella were obtained in India from nectar of flowers of Lantana camara, an ornamental exotic species native to Central and South America. Phylogenetic analyses of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and physiological characteristics, supported the recognition of the novel species, that we designate Wickerhamiella lachancei sp. nov (MycoBank no. MB851709), with MCC 9929T as the holotype and PYCC 10003T as the isotype. Considering pairwise sequence similarity, the type strain of the novel species differs from the type strain of the most closely related species, Wickerhamiella drosophilae CBS 8459T, by 16 nucleotide substitutions and two gaps (3.9 % sequence variation) in the D1/D2 region (560 bp compared) and 28 nucleotide substitutions and five gaps (7.22 % sequence variation) in the ITS region (444 bp compared).

Wickerhamiella nakhonpathomensis f.a. sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast species isolated from a mushroom and a flower in Thailand

Strains SU22T (TBRC 14875T) and FLA11.5, representing a novel anamorphic yeast species, were respectively isolated from a fruiting body of a Coprinus species and an inflorescence of a Coffea species collected in Thailand. Analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions showed that the two strains differed by two nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and were identical in the ITS regions. Wickerhamiella drosophilae CBS 8459T was the most closely related species, but with 24–26 nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and 24 nucleotide substitutions in the ITS regions. A phylogenetic analysis, based on the sequences of the D1/D2 domains, indicated that the two strains represented a species in the genus Wickerhamiella which was distinct from other recognized species of the genus. Therefore, the two strains were assigned as a novel species, for which we propose the name Wickerhamiella nakhonpathomensis f.a. sp. nov. The holotype is TBRC 14875T (isotype PYCC 8914T). The MycoBank number of the novel species is MB 840833.

Florivory by the occupants of phytotelmata in flower parts can decrease host plant fecundity

Some types of plant accumulate liquid in their inflorescences creating phytotelmata. These environments protect the flowers against florivory, although they may be colonized by aquatic or semi-aquatic florivorous insect larvae, whose effects on the fitness of the plants remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis of floral antagonism by the occupants of phytotelmata, which predicts that florivory by the occupants of the phytotelmata represents a cost to the female fitness of the plant, reducing its fecundity. We manipulated experimentally the infestation by 3 florivores larvae species occupants of phytotelmata in inflorescences of Heliconia spathocircinata (Heliconiaceae) to test for negative direct trophic effects on the fecundity of the flowering and fruiting bracts. We found that the foraging of the hoverfly (Syrphidae) and moth (Lepidoptera) larvae in the inflorescences contributed to a decline in the fecundity of the plant. While the lepidopteran impacted fecundity when foraging in both flowering and fruiting bracts, the syrphid only affected the fruiting bracts, which indicates that the nectar and floral tissue are the principal resource exploited by the hoverfly. By contrast, soldier fly (Stratiomyidae) had a neutral effect on fecundity, while foraging in flowering or fruiting bracts. These findings corroborate our hypothesis, that herbivory by the larval occupants represents cost to the host plant having phytotelmata. The negative influence of this foraging on plant fecundity will nevertheless depend on the consequences of the exploitation of resources, which vary considerably in ephemeral habitats such as the phytotalmanta of flower parts.

Wickerhamiella shivajii sp. nov., a thermotolerant yeast isolated from distillery effluent

Ethanol production at high temperatures has garnered much interest in recent years and a key factor is the availability of thermotolerant yeasts. During an investigation on the diversity of thermotolerant yeasts from different habitats, a novel yeast species from the spent wash of a distillery unit associated with a sugar factory was isolated. Phylogenetic analysis of D1/D2 large subunit and ITS rRNA genes placed this species in the ascomycetous genus Wickerhamiella. The novel species can be distinguished from the closely related species Wickerhamiella pararugosa using these rRNA gene regions. The cells of the new species are ovoid to ellipsoid with a diameter of 3.5-6.0×2.4-3.10 µm, while W. pararugosa cells are cylindrical with a cell diameter of 1.5-3.0×6-23 µm. This novel species represents, together with Wickerhamiella cacticola, one of the two most thermotolerant yeast species in the genus Wickerhamiella, able to grow at 42 °C. Wickerhamiella shivajii sp. nov. is proposed during this study.

Large biodiversity of yeasts in French Guiana and the description of Suhomyces coccinellae f.a. sp. nov. and Suhomyces faveliae f.a. sp. nov

The extent of the diversity of yeasts in tropical rain forest and different environments from French Guiana was investigated. A total of 365 samples were collected from various substrates, such as plants, fruits and insects, at 13 locations, yielding 276 pure yeast isolates. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene indicated that 210 isolates out of 276 belonged to 82 described species (67 Saccharomycotina, 14 Basidiomycota and 1 Pezizomycotina). In addition to these, a total of 54 Saccharomycotina isolates could not be assigned to a known species. These belonged to 14 genera and should be studied further from a taxonomic point of view. In addition, among the 43 Basidiomycotina isolates found, 12 could not be assigned to a known species. This report shows an unexpected biodiversity and indicates that oversea territories, such as French Guiana, constitute a largely unexplored reservoir for yeast diversity. Two Saccharomycotina strains, CLIB 1706 and CLIB 1725, isolated from an insect and from a fern respectively, were characterized further and were shown to belong to the Suhomyces clade on the basis of the rDNA sequence comparison. CLIB 1706^TrDNA sequences showed nine substitutions and three indels out of 556 bp (D1/D2 domains) and 32 substitutions and 12 indels out of 380 bp [internal transcribed spacer (ITS)] with that of the most closely related species Suhomyces guaymorum CBS 9823^T. CLIB 1725^T rDNA sequences presented 18 substitutions and one indel out of 549 bp (D1/D2 domains) and 48 substitutions and 11 indels out of 398 bp (ITS) with that of its closest relative Suhomyces vadensis CBS 9454^T. Two novel species of the genus Suhomyces were described to accommodate these two strains: Suhomyces coccinellae f.a. sp. nov. (CLIB 1706^T=CBS 14298^T) and Suhomyces faveliae f.a. sp. nov. (CLIB 1725^T=CBS 14299^T).

Flowers as a reservoir of yeast diversity: description of Wickerhamiella nectarea f.a. sp. nov., and Wickerhamiella natalensis f.a. sp. nov. from South African flowers and pollinators, and transfer of related Candida species to the genus Wickerhamiella as new combinations

Flowers offer favourable microenvironments for yeast growth, and are increasingly recognised as a rich source of novel yeast species. Independent surveys of yeasts associated with flowers and pollinators in South Africa led to the discovery of 38 strains of two new species. Physiological profiles and analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that they represent two novel species that belong to the Wickerhamiella clade. We describe the species as Wickerhamiella nectarea f.a. sp. nov. (type strain EBDCdVSA11-1T, CBS 14162T, NRRL Y-63791T) and W. natalensis f.a. sp. nov. (type strain EBDCdVSA7-1T, CBS 14161T, NRRL Y-63790T). We extend the known range of flower-associated Wickerhamiella species to South Africa and discuss the ecology and phylogenetic relationships of the clade in relation to its host species and biogeography. Examination of growth characteristics supports that the Wickerhamiella clade exhibits a high degree of evolutionary lability, and that specialisation to different niches may occur rapidly. We review the current status of floral yeast biodiversity and nectar as a reservoir of species diversity, and the importance of pollinators and biogeography. In addition, 18 species formerly assigned to the genus Candida are reassigned formally to the genus Wickerhamiella.

Decomposition of plant-sourced carbon compounds by heterotrophic betaproteobacteria isolated from a tropical Costa Rican bromeliad

Betaproteobacteria were the most common isolates from the water‐filled tank of a Costa Rican bromeliad. Isolates included eight species from the orders Neisseriales and Burkholderiales, with close relatives recovered previously from tropical soils, wetlands, freshwater, or in association with plants. Compared to close relatives, the isolates displayed high temperature and comparatively low pH optima, reflecting the tropical, acidic nature of the bromeliad tank. Bromeliad‐associated bacteria most closely related to Chromobacterium, Herbaspirillum, and Aquitalea were all isolated exclusively at pH 6, while Ralstonia, Cupriavidus, and three species of Burkholderia were isolated mostly at pH 4. Activity profiles for the isolates suggest pervasive capabilities for the breakdown of plant‐sourced organics, including d‐galacturonic acid, mannitol, d‐xylose, and l‐phenylalanine, also reflecting a niche dominated by decomposition of leaves from the overlying canopy, which become entrained in the tanks. Metabolic activity profiles were overlapping between the Burkholderiales, isolated at pH 4, and the Neisseriales, isolated at pH 6, suggesting that plant material decomposition, which is presumably the underlying process sustaining the tank community and possibly the plant itself, occurs in the tanks at both pH extremes. These results suggest that bromeliad‐associated betaproteobacteria may play an important role in the cycling of carbon in this unusual aquatic habitat.

Wickerhamiella allomyrinae f.a., sp. nov., a yeast species isolated from the gut of the rhinoceros beetle Allomyrina dichotoma

Two strains representing Wickerhamiella allomyrinae f.a., sp. nov. were isolated from the gut of Allomyrina dichotoma (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae) collected from the Baotianman National Nature Reserve, Nanyan, Henan Province, China. Sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene revealed that this novel species was located in the Wickerhamiella clade (Saccharomycetes, Saccharomycetales), with three described species of the genus Candida, namely Candida musiphila, Candida spandovensis and Candida sergipensis, as the most closely related species. The novel species differed from these three species by 9.3–9.8 % sequence divergence (35–45 nt substitutions) in the D1/D2 sequences. The species could also be distinguished from the closely related species, C. musiphila, C. spandovensis and C. sergipensis, by growth on vitamin-free medium and at 37 °C. The type strain is Wickerhamiella allomyrinae sp. nov. NYNU 13920T ( = CICC 33031T = CBS 13167T).

W ickerhamiella siamensis f.a., sp. nov., an endophytic and epiphytic yeast species isolated from sugar cane leaf

Six strains representing a novel yeast species were isolated from tissue (DMKU-SE106T, DMKU-SE110, DMKU-SE112 and DMKU-SE132) and the external surface (DMKU-SP335 and DMKU-SP406) of sugar cane leaves collected in Thailand. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the six strains were found to represent a single novel species of the genus Wickerhamiella although the formation of ascospores was not observed. The sequences of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and ITS region of the six strains differed from each other by 0–2 and 2–3 nt substitutions, respectively. The novel species was related most closely to Candida infanticola but with 4.5–4.6 % nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and 6.6–7.1 % nucleotide substitutions in the ITS region. The name Wickerhamiella siamensis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DMKU-SE106T ( = BCC 61185T = NBRC 109697T = CBS 13331T).

Wickerhamiella kiyanii f.a., sp. nov. and Wickerhamiella fructicola f.a., sp. nov., two yeasts isolated from native plants of Atlantic rainforest in Brazil

Two novel species, Wickerhamiella kiyanii f.a., sp. nov. (type strain FB1-1DASPT = CBS 12905T = CBMAI 1613T) and Wickerhamiella fructicola f.a., sp. nov. (type strain H10YT = CBS 12902T = CBMAI 1614T) are proposed in the Wickerhamiella clade (Saccharomycetes, Saccharomycetales) to accommodate three strains isolated from flowers and fruits typical of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. The novel status of these yeast species was established by sequence divergence observed in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene from the most closely related, described species as well as by phylogenetic analysis. Wickerhamiella kiyanii sp. nov. differs from its nearest phylogenetic neighbours W. pagnoccae CBS 12178T, Candida jalapaonensis CBS 10935T and Candida drosophilae CBS 8459T by 2.2–4.2 % in the D1/D2 sequences. By contrast, a sequence divergence of 13.2–13.8 % was observed between W. fructicola sp. nov. and its closest, described phylogenetic relative Candida kazoui JCM 12558T and Candida hasegawae JCM 12559T. Taxonomic descriptions of the two novel species are given.

Hannaella pagnoccae sp. nov., a tremellaceous yeast species isolated from plants and soil

Several independent surveys of yeasts associated with different plant materials and soil led to the proposal of a novel yeast species belonging to the Tremellales clade (Agaricomycotina, Basidiomycota). Analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains and internal transcribed spacer region of the large subunit of the rRNA gene suggested affinity to a phylogenetic lineage that includes Hannaella coprosmaensis, Hannaella oryzae and Hannaella sinensis. Thirty-two isolates were obtained from different sources, including bromeliads, nectar of Heliconia psittacorum (Heliconiaceae), flowers of Pimenta dioica (Myrtaceae), roots and leaves of sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) in Brazil, leaves of Cratoxylum maingayi, Arundinaria pusilla and Vitis vinifera in Thailand, soil samples in Taiwan, and prairie soil in the USA. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit of the rRNA gene showed that the novel species differs from Hannaella coprosmaensis and Hannaella oryzae by 36 and 46 nt substitutions, respectively. A novel species is suggested to accommodate these isolates, for which the name Hannaella pagnoccae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BI118(T) ( = CBS 11142(T) = ATCC MYA-4530(T)).

Wickerhamiella slavikovae sp. nov. and Wickerhamiella goesii sp. nov., two yeast species isolated from natural substrates

Two novel yeast species were isolated during three independent studies of yeasts associated with natural substrates in Brazil and Taiwan. Analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that these novel species belong to the Wickerhamiella clade. The first was isolated from freshwater and a leaf of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) in Brazil and from leaves of Wedelia biflora in Taiwan. Described here as Wickerhamiella slavikovae sp. nov., it differs by 56 nucleotide substitutions and 19 gaps in the D1/D2 region of the large subunit rRNA gene from Candida sorbophila, the least divergent species. The second species, named Wickerhamiella goesii sp. nov., was isolated from leaves and the rhizosphere of sugar cane collected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The species differs by 54 nucleotide substitutions and nine gaps in the D1/D2 domains from Candida drosophilae, its least divergent relative. The type strains are Wickerhamiella slavikovae sp. nov. IMUFRJ 52096T ( = CBS 12417T = DBVPG 8032T) and Wickerhamiella goesii sp. nov. IMUFRJ 52102T ( = CBS 12419T = DBVPG 8034T).