Taxonomic relationships of Cryptococcus and Tremella based on fatty acid composition and other phenotypic characters.

ABSTRACT

The cellular long-chain fatty acids present in 33 strains, representing 15 species of Cryptococcus, and 4 species of Tremella, were determined by gas chromatography. According to the relative amounts of fatty acid methyl esters, the Cryptococcus species studied were divided into four main groups. Possible relationships between species representing the two genera are presented in a new model, where cellular long-chain fatty acid compositions and other phenotypic characteristics are included.