Unveiling Trichosporon austroamericanum sp. nov.: A Novel Emerging Opportunistic Basidiomycetous Yeast Species.

During an epidemiological survey, a potential novel species within the basidiomycetous yeast genus Trichosporon was observed. The clinical strain was obtained from a urine sample taken from a Brazilian kidney transplant recipient. The strain was molecularly identified using the intergenic spacer (IGS1) ribosomal DNA locus and a subsequent phylogenetic analysis showed that multiple strains that were previously reported by other studies shared an identical IGS1-genotype most closely related to that of Trichosporon inkin. However, none of these studies provided an in-depth characterization of the involved strains to describe it as a new taxon. Here, we present the novel clinically relevant yeast for which we propose the name Trichosporon austroamericanum sp. nov. (holotype CBS H-24937). T. austroamericanum can be distinguished from other siblings in the genus Trichosporon using morphological, physiological, and phylogenetic characters.

Mrakia polaris sp. nov. and Mrakia amundsenii sp. nov. (Mrakiaceae, Cystofilobasidiales), two novel psychrophilic yeast species isolated from Arctic habitats.

Four yeast strains belonging to the basidiomycetous yeast genus Mrakia were isolated from diverse habitats in the Ny-Ålesund region (Svalbard, High Arctic): two from vascular plants, one from seawater and one from freshwater. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the ITS region and the D1/D2 domain of the 28S rRNA gene, identified these four strains as representing two novel species within the genus Mrakia. The names Mrakia polaris sp. nov. (MycoBank number: MB 852063) and Mrakia amundsenii sp. nov. (MycoBank number: MB 852064) are proposed. These two new species show distinct psychrophilic adaptations, as they exhibit optimal growth at temperatures between 10 and 15°C, while being unable to grow at 25°C. The holotype of M. polaris sp. nov. is CPCC 300345T, and the holotype of M. amundsenii sp. nov. is CPCC 300572T.

Oral Candida albicans strain diversity and maintenance in HIV positive women in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated C. albicans strain diversity and maintenance in the oral cavity of HIV positive women over a 6 month period. STUDY DESIGN: C. albicans strains were isolated from 17 HIV positive women at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, Johannesburg at 3 intervals over a 6 month period. Strains were genotyped using ABC and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) techniques. In the MLST technique, for each strain, a Diploid Sequence Type (DST) number was obtained. Using cluster analysis, an Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) dendrogram and a matrix of strain similarities were generated. Strains were also compared to the previous South African isolates documented in the MLST database. RESULTS: Ninety four percent of women carried the same ABC genotype for 6 months. MLST technique, showed that ten women (58.8%) carried the same DST at 2 visits, while seven (41.2%) carried different DST at all visits. Further analysis showed that 64.7% of women were recolonised with different strains and 35.3% carried the same strains of C. albicans with heterozygosity. A total of 40 diploid sequence types were identified of which 27 DSTs were unique to this study group that were added to the MLST database. Most of the strains were closely related to previously isolated strains from South Africa. CONCLUSION: Recolonization of the oral cavity with different strains and microevolution of the original strains of C. albicans can occur, which can be a potential problem for HIV patients, in whom highly virulent and drug resistant strains can emerge.

Exophiala amphawaensis sp. nov., a novel black yeast isolated from the gut of amphipods in Thailand.

The genus Exophiala is polymorphic, able to transition between yeast, hyphal and pseudohyphal forms. Species of the genus Exophiala are ubiquitous fungi that are distributed in various environments around the world. During a survey of fungal diversity in the gut of amphipods (Floresorchestia amphawaensis and undescribed Dogielinotid amphipods) from the Amphawa estuary, Samut Songkhram province, Thailand, five black yeast strains (DMKU-MG01, DMKU-MG07, DMKU-MG08, DMKU-HG10 and DMKU-FG04) were identified as representing a novel taxon on the basis of a combination of morphological and molecular phylogenetic features. The five strains did not produce filamentous hyphae or pseudohyphae. Only budding yeast cells were observed. On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and the results of molecular analyses of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the five strains were identified as representing a novel species via applied nucleotide pairwise analysis. They differed from the most closely related species Exophiala alcalophiala by 3.54 % nucleotide substitutions (20 nucleotide substitutions in 572 bp) in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene. Moreover, the sequences of the ITS region of the five strains differed from those of the most closely related species E. alcalophiala, by 7.44-9.62 % nucleotide substitutions, and Exophiala halophiala, by 7.2-7.53 % nucleotide substitutions. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated sequences of the ITS regions and the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene confirmed that the five black yeast strains represented a single novel species of the genus Exophiala. In this study, Exophiala amphawaensis sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains. The holotype is TBRC 15626T and the isotype is PYCC9020. The MycoBank accession number of the novel species is MB 851477.

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).

Molecular characterization of clinical and environmental isolates from the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. Gattii species complexes of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.

Cryptococcosis is one of the major life-threatening opportunistic/systemic fungal diseases of worldwide occurrence, which can be asymptomatic or establish pneumonia and meningoencephalitis mainly in immunosuppressed patients, caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes. Acquisition is by inhaling fungal propagules from avian droppings, tree hollows and decaying wood, and the association of the molecular types with geographic origin, virulence and antifungal resistance have epidemiological importance. Since data on cryptococcosis in Alagoas are limited, we sought to determine the molecular types of etiological agents collected from clinical and environmental sources. We evaluated 21 isolates previously collected from cerebrospinal fluid and from environment sources (pigeon droppings and tree hollows) in Maceió-Alagoas (Brazil). Restriction fragment length polymorphism of URA5 gene was performed to characterize among the eight standard molecular types (VNI-VNIV and VGI-VGIV). Among isolates, 66.67% (14) were assigned to C. neoformans VNI - 12 of them (12/14) recovered from liquor and 2 from a tree hollow (2/14). One isolate from pigeon droppings (4.76%) corresponded to C. neoformans VNIV, while five strains from tree hollows and one from pigeon droppings (6, 28.57%) to C. gattii VGII. VNI-type was present in clinical and environmental samples and most C. neoformans infections were observed in HIV-positive patients, while types VNIV and VGII were prevalent in environmental sources in Alagoas. This is the first molecular characterization of Cryptococcus spp. in Alagoas, our study provides additional information on the ecoepidemiology of Cryptococcus spp. in Brazil, contributing to a closer view of the endemic species.

Wickerhamomyces corioli f.a., sp. nov., a novel yeast species discovered in two mushroom species.

Two yeast strains, designated as 19-39-3 and 19-40-2, obtained from the fruiting bodies of Trametes versicolor and Marasmius siccus collected in Yunwu Mountain Forest Park, PR China, have been identified as representing a novel asexual ascomycetous yeast species. From the results of phylogenetic analyses of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA, small subunit (SSU) rRNA and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) genes, it was determined that these strains represent a member of the genus Wickerhamomyces, with Wickerhamomyces alni and Candida ulmi as the closest relatives. The novel species exhibited 6.6 and 6.7% differences in the D1/D2 domains compared with W. alni and C. ulmi, respectively. Additionally, distinct biochemical and physiological differences were observed between the novel species and its related counterparts. No sexual reproduction was observed in these strains, leading to the proposal of the name Wickerhamomyces corioli f.a., sp. nov. for this newly discovered species.

Savitreea siamensis sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species in the family Saccharomycetaceae discovered in Thailand.

Four yeast strains, representing a novel anamorphic species, were isolated in Thailand. The two strains (ST-3660T and ST-3647) were obtained from two different estuarine water samples in a mangrove forest. Strain DMKU-FW1-37 was derived from a grease sample, and another strain (TSU57) was isolated from a fruiting body of Phallus sp. Pairwise sequence analysis showed that the four strains had identical or differed by only one nucleotide substitution in the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, and differed by one to three nucleotide substitutions in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Savitreea pentosicarens is the most closely related species to the four strains, but with 9-10 (1.57-1.72 %) nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and 29-31 (4.22-4.45 %) nucleotide substitutions in the ITS regions. Phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated sequences of the ITS regions and the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene showed that the four strains form a well-separated lineage from S. pentosicarens with high bootstrap support, confirming that they represent a distinct species. Therefore, the four strains are assigned as representives of a novel species of the genus Savitreea, for which the name Savitreea siamensis sp. nov. is proposed. The holotype is TBRC 4481T and the ex-type is PYCC 9794T (=ST-3660T). The MycoBank number of the novel species is MB 851951.

Ogataea nonmethanolica f.a, sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from rotting wood in Brazil and Colombia.

Three yeast isolate candidates for a novel species were obtained from rotting wood samples collected in Brazil and Colombia. The Brazilian isolate differs from the Colombian isolates by one nucleotide substitution in each of the D1/D2 and small subunit (SSU) sequences. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-α gene sequences of the three isolates were identical. A phylogenetic analysis showed that this novel species belongs to the genus Ogataea. This novel species is phylogenetically related to Candida nanaspora and Candida nitratophila. The novel species differs from C. nanaspora by seven nucleotides and two indels, and by 17 nucleotides and four indels from C. nitratophila in the D1/D2 sequences. The ITS sequences of these three species differ by more than 30 nucleotides. Analyses of the sequences of the SSU and translation elongation factor 1-α gene also showed that these isolates represent a novel species of the genus Ogataea. Different from most Ogataea species, these isolates did not assimilate methanol as the sole carbon source. The name Ogataea nonmethanolica sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these isolates. The holotype of Ogataea nonmethanolica is CBS 13485T. The MycoBank number is MB 851195.

Phylogenomic delineation of two new species of ascomycetous yeasts, Wickerhamiella koratensis sp. nov. and Wickerhamiella limtongiae sp. nov., and proposal of two synonyms, Wickerhamiella infanticola and Wickerhamiella tropicalis.

Two novel ascomycetous yeast species of the genus Wickerhamiella are proposed based on isolates obtained in Thailand from food waste and the fruiting body of a polypore fungus, and on a combination of conventional DNA-barcode sequence analyses and whole-genome phylogenies. We focus on a particular subclade of the genus Wickerhamiella that contains species found in anthropic environments and describe Wickerhamiella limtongiae sp. nov. (DMKU-FW31-5T=PYCC 9022T=TBRC 15055T), found on food waste samples. In an adjacent clade, we describe Wickerhamiella koratensis sp. nov. (DMKU-KO16T=PYCC 8908T=TBRC 14869T), which represents the closest relative of Wickerhamiella slavikovae and was isolated from the fruiting body of Bjerkandera sp. In the subclade of W. limtongiae sp. nov., we propose that Wickerhamiella infanticola should be regarded as a synonym of Wickerhamiella sorbophila and that Wickerhamiella tropicalis should be regarded as a synonym of Wickerhamiella verensis.

The surface of leaves and fruits of Peruvian cacao is home for several Hannaella yeast species, including the new species Hannaella theobromatis sp. nov.

As part of a long-term study aiming to isolate and identify yeast species that inhabit the surface of leaves and fruits of native fine-aroma cacao in the department of Amazonas, Peru, we obtained multiple isolates of Hannaella species. Yeasts of the genus Hannaella are common inhabitants of the phyllosphere of natural and crop plants. On the basis of morphological, and physiological characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), we identified five species of Hannaella from the phyllosphere of Peruvian cacao. Four have been previously described: H. phyllophila (isolates KLG-073, KLG-091), H. pagnoccae (KLG-076), H. sinensis (KLG-121), and H. taiwanensis (KLG-021). A fifth, represented by eight isolates (KLG-034, KLG-063, KLG-074, KLG-078, KLG-79, KLG-082, KLG-084, KLG-085), is not conspecific with any previously described Hannaella species, and forms the sister clade to H. surugaensis in the phylogenetic analysis. It has 2.6-3.9% (18-27 substitutions, 2-4 deletions, and 1-3 insertions in 610-938 bp-long alignments), and 9.8-10.0% nucleotide differences (37 substitutions and 14 insertions in 511-520 bp-long alignments) in the LSU and ITS regions, respectively, to H. surugaensis type strain, CBS 9426. Herein, the new species Hannaella theobromatis sp. nov. is described and characterised. The species epithet refers to its epiphytic ecology on its host Theobroma cacao.

Saturnispora sinensis sp. nov., a new ascomycetous yeast species from soil and rotten wood.

A yeast strain (CGMCC 2.6937T) belonging to the ascomycetous yeast genus Saturnispora was recently isolated from soil collected in Xinghuacun, Shanxi Province, PR China. The strain produces one or two ellipsoid or spherical ascospores in asci formed by the conjugation between a cell and its bud. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene suggest that this strain is conspecific with strains NYNU 14639 isolated from rotten wood collected in Funiu Mountain, Henan province and ES13S05 from soil collected in Nantou County, Taiwan. The CGMCC 2.6937T group is most closely related to Saturnispora dispora and Saturnispora zaruensis. However, strain CGMCC 2.6937T differs from S. dispora by 17 (3.2 %, 13 substitutions and four gaps) and 77 (18.8 %, 52 substitutions and 25 gaps) mismatches, and from S. zaruensis by 15 (2.9 %, 12 substitutions and three gaps) and 64 (15.6 %, 44 substitutions and 20 gaps) mismatches, in the D1/D2 domain and ITS region, respectively. The results suggest that the CGMCC 2.6937T group represents an undescribed species in the genus Saturnispora, for which the name Saturnispora sinensis sp. nov. is proposed. The holotype strain is CGMCC 2.6937T.

Nakazawaea tricholomae f.a., sp. nov., a Novel Ascomycetous Yeast Species Isolated from Two Mushroom Species in China.

Two yeast strains designated as 20-27-1 and 20-28 were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Tricholoma gambosum and Marasmius maximus, respectively, which were collected in Wudaogou, Weichang county, Chengde area, Hebei Province, China. The multi-locus analysis of the sequences of the rDNA ITS, D1/D2 LSU, and SSU regions, together with partial sequences of two protein-coding genes RPB1 and TEF1 indicates that the two strains are closely related to Nakazawaea ernobii and Nakazawaea holstii, showing the similarity values of 99.3-98.7%, 97.2-97.1%, 91.9-92.5%, and 84.6% in D1/D2 LSU, ITS, TEF1, and RPB1, respectively. Physiologically, the two strains are different from N. ernobii and N. holstii in the assimilation of melibiose, inulin, and DL-lactic acid. Both the phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses indicate that those two strains represent a novel species in the genus Nakazawaea, for which the name Nakazawaea tricholomae f.a., sp. nov. (Fungal Names: FN 571492) is proposed.

Starmerella kisarazuensis f.a., sp. nov., a novel yeast isolated from Trifolium pratense flowers.

Three yeast isolates, NBRC 115909T, NBRC 115910 and NBRC 116270, were isolated from Trifolium pratense (red clover) flowers collected from Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan. Analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions revealed that these isolates represent a single novel species within the genus Starmerella. Also, no ascospore formation was observed. The yeast isolates were closely related to Starmerella vitae UWOPS 00-107.2T and Starmerella bombi NRRL Y-17081T. They differed from S. vitae, the most closely related species with a validly published name, by ten nucleotide substitutions with two gaps in the D1/D2 domains and 20 nucleotide substitutions in the ITS region. Moreover, the three isolates exhibited distinct phenotypic characteristics from the closely related species. Therefore, we suggest that these three isolates represent a novel species, designated as Starmerella kisarazuensis f.a., sp. nov. The holotype is NBRC 115909T (isotype: CBS 18485T).

Blastobotrys nigripullensis, a new yeast species isolated from a fungal outbreak on an ancient Roman shipwreck in the Netherlands.

A new species of the yeast genus Blastobotrys was discovered on ancient ship timbers in the Netherlands. The species had developed on the wood of a river barge dating to the Roman period. The growth occurred after the preservative polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) was washed out of some of the timbers due to an undetected leak in the storage unit. Mycological analysis of various timber samples revealed the presence of Microascus melanosporus (predominant), Microascus paisii, a member of the Acremonium chrysogenum-clade, and a new Blastrobotrys species. The new species produced sporothrix-like conidiophores with clavate blastoconidia (3-7 × 1-3.5 µm) and was found to be osmotolerant, capable of growth on low water activity media like malt yeast 50% glucose agar (MY50G). In this article we formally describe and introduce Blastrobotrys nigripullensis (CBS 17879 T) based on its morphology, physiology and phylogenetic placement.

Yamadazyma sisaketensis f.a., sp. nov. and Yamadazyma koratensis f.a., sp. nov., two novel ascomycetous yeast species from mushrooms and cocoa leaves in Thailand, and reassignment of Candida andamanensis, Candida jaroonii and Candida songkhlaensis to the genus Yamadazyma.

Six strains representing two novel ascomycetous yeast species were isolated from mushroom fruiting bodies and cocoa leaves collected in Thailand. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene sequences showed that the six strains were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of four strains (DMKU-SSK46, DMKU-SK1, SCCL3-5 and SCCL19-3), that were closely related to the type strains of Candida conglobata, Candida insectorum, Yamadazyma dushanensis, Yamadazyma mexicana and Yamadazyma riverae, but with 12-14 (2.5-2.9 %) and 28-50 (5.4-8.8 %) nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains and the ITS regions, respectively. However, two strains (DMKU-KMY40 and DMKU-KO18) of the second group differed from a group of described species, Candida diddensiae, Candida dendronema, Candida germanica, Candida kanchanaburiensis, Candida naeodendra, Candida vaughaniae and Yamadazyma siamensis by 8-15 (1.5-2.8 %) and 45-53 (8.2-9.6 %) nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains and the ITS regions, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of the ITS regions and D1/D2 domains showed that these strains represented two species of the Yamadazyma clade that were distinct from the other related species. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics, these six strains were assigned to two novel species of the genus Yamadazyma, although formation of ascospores was not observed. Yamadazyma sisaketensis f.a., sp. nov., is proposed for the first group (four strains). The holotype is TBRC 17139T (ex-type culture: PYCC 9797). The MycoBank number is MB 849637. Yamadazyma koratensis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed for the second group (two strains). The holotype is TBRC 14868T (ex-type culture: PYCC 8907). The MycoBank number is MB 849638. In addition, it is proposed that Candida andamanensis, Candida jaroonii and Candida songkhlaensis are reassigned to the genus Yamadazyma as Yamadazyma andamanensis comb. nov., Y. jaroonii comb. nov. and Y. songkhlaensis comb. nov., respectively.

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).

Taxogenomic analysis of a novel yeast species isolated from soil, Pichia galeolata sp. nov.

A novel budding yeast species was isolated from a soil sample collected in the United States of America. Phylogenetic analyses of multiple loci and phylogenomic analyses conclusively placed the species within the genus Pichia. Strain yHMH446 falls within a clade that includes Pichia norvegensis, Pichia pseudocactophila, Candida inconspicua, and Pichia cactophila. Whole genome sequence data were analyzed for the presence of genes known to be important for carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and the phenotypic data from the novel species were compared to all Pichia species with publicly available genomes. Across the genus, including the novel species candidate, we found that the inability to use many carbon and nitrogen sources correlated with the absence of metabolic genes. Based on these results, Pichia galeolata sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate yHMH446T (=NRRL Y-64187 = CBS 16864). This study shows how integrated taxogenomic analysis can add mechanistic insight to species descriptions.

The first established microsatellite markers to distinguish Candida orthopsilosis isolates and detection of a nosocomial outbreak in China.

The infection proportion of Candida orthopsilosis, a member of the C. parapsilosis complex, has increased globally in recent years, and nosocomial outbreaks have been reported in several countries. This study aimed to establish microsatellite loci-based typing method that was able to effectively distinguish among C. orthopsilosis isolates. Three reference C. orthopsilosis genome sequences were analyzed to identify repeat loci. DNA sequences containing over eight bi- or more nucleotide repeats were selected. A total of 51 loci were initially identified, and locus-specific primers were designed and tested with 20 epidemiologically unrelated isolates. Four loci with excellent reproducibility, specificity, and resolution for molecular typing purposes were identified, and the combined discriminatory power (DP, based on 20 epidemiologically unrelated isolates) of these four loci was 1.0. Reproducibility was demonstrated by consistently testing three strains each in triplicate, and stability, demonstrated by testing 10 successive passages. Then, we collected 48 C. orthopsilosis non-duplicate clinical isolates from the China Hospital Invasive Fungal Surveillance Net study to compare the DP of the microsatellite-based typing with internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) typing analyses, using ATCC 96139 as a reference strain. These 49 isolates were subdivided into 12 microsatellite types (COMT1-12), six AFLP types, and three ITS types, while all the isolates with the same COMT belonged to consistent AFLP and ITS type, demonstrating the high DP of our microsatellite-type method. According to our results, COMT12 was found to be the predominant type in China, and COMT5 was the second largest and responsible for causing a nosocomial outbreak. This microsatellite-type method is a valuable tool for the differentiation of C. orthopsilosis and could be vital for epidemiological studies to determine strain relatedness and monitor transmission.

Vishniacozyma pseudocarnescens sp. nov., a new anamorphic tremellomycetous yeast species.

Three strains belonging to the basidiomycetous yeast genus Vishniacozyma were isolated from marine water samples collected from intertidal zones in Liaoning province, northeast China. Phylogenetic analyses based on the sequences of the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA), the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA), the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the two subunits of DNA polymerase II (RPB1 and RPB2), the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1), and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (CYTB) showed that these strains together with 20 strains from various geographic and ecological origins from other regions of the world represent a novel species in the genus Vishniacozyma. We propose the name Vishniacozyma pseudocarnescens sp. nov. (holotype CGMCC 2.6457) for the new species, which differs phenotypically from its close relatives V. carnescens, V. tephrensis, and V. victoriae by its ability to grow at 30 °C and on 50 % (w/v) glucose-yeast extract agar.