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Six conspecific yeast strains, representing an undescribed species, were isolated from rotten wood collected in different locations in Hungary and Germany and an additional one from fungal fruiting body in Taiwan. The seven strains share identical nucleotide sequences in the D1/D2 domain of the nuclear large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. The Hungarian and Taiwanese isolates share identical internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences as well, while the two German isolates differ from them merely by three substitutions and four indels in this region. The investigated strains are very closely related to Diddensiella santjacobensis. Along their LSU D1/D2 domain they differ only by one substitution from the type strain of D. santjacobensis. However, in the ITS region of Hungarian and Taiwanese strains we detected 3.5 % divergence (nine substitutions and nine indels) between the undescribed species and D. santjacobensis, while the German strains differed by 13 substitutions and nine indels from D. santjacobensis. This ITS sequence divergence has raised the possibility that the strains investigated in this study may represent a different species from D. santjacobensis. This hypothesis was supported by comparisons of partial translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α) and cytochrome oxidase II (COX II) gene sequences. While no difference and 1–2 substitutions among the partial EF-1α and COX II gene sequences of the strains of the undescribed species, respectively, were detected; the undescribed species differ by about 4 % (36 substitutions) and 10 % (50–51 substitutions) from D. santjacobensis in these regions. Parsimony network analysis of the partial COX II gene sequences also separated the investigated strains from the type strain of D. santjacobensis. In this paper we propose Diddensiella parasantjacobensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype: NCAIM Y.02121; isotypes: CBS 17819, DSM 114156) to accommodate the above-noted strains.

This study describes Wickerhamomyces sinyiensis, a new anamorphic ascomycetous yeast species, four strains of which were isolated from soil and the fruiting body of a mushroom in Taiwan between 2006 and 2007. Analysis of the sequences of the large-subunit rRNA, small-subunit rRNA and elongation factor-1α identified this species as a member of the Wickerhamomyces clade. The yeast strains of W. sinyiensis exhibited a 0–3 nucleotide difference in the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA when compared to one another and a 10 and 11 nucleotide difference when compared to Candida sp. BG99-11-14-10-4-1 and NRRL Y-7574, the closest undescribed species, respectively. The yeast strains differed by 77 and 78 nucleotides from W. orientalis and W. bispora, the close Wickerhamomyces species, respectively. The internal transcribed spacer sequences of the four isolates exhibited a divergence of 106–108 substitutions from the recognized species W. xylosivorus. No sexual reproduction was observed. The strains differed from those of related species in terms of their carbon and nitrogen assimilation patterns. Therefore, this study proposes W. sinyiensis f.a., sp. nov. to accommodate these four strains, with W. sinyiensis BCRC 23185T (isotype CBS 11432T; MycoBank number MB563484) as the holotype.

Seven yeast strains, DMKU VGT1-14T, DMKU VGT1-19T, DMKU-JMGT1-28, DMKU-JMGT1-32, DMKU VGT2-06, DMKU VGT2-19 and DMKU VGT6-14, were isolated from a grease trap in Thailand and two strains, SJ-1 and SN-102 were isolated from the sea surface microlayer in Taiwan. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, these strains represented two novel yeast species of the genus Wickerhamiella. In terms of pairwise sequence similarity, four strains, DMKU VGT1-14, DMKU-JMGT1-32, DMKU VGT6-14 and SN-102, were closely related to Wickerhamiella infanticola NRRL Y-17858T but differed by 13 nucleotide substitutions with one gap (2.46 %) in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and 15 nucleotide substitutions with 23 gaps (4.2 %) in the ITS region. The strains DMKU VGT1-19T, DMKU-JMGT1-28, DMKU VGT2-06, DMKU VGT2-19 and SJ-1, differed from the type strain of the most closely related species, Wickerhamiella sorbophila NRRL Y-7921T, by nine nucleotide substitutions with one gap (1.66 %) in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and nine nucleotide substitutions with 17 gaps (2.52%) in the ITS region. Hence, the names Wickerhamiella osmotolerans sp. nov. and Wickerhamiella tropicalis sp. nov. are proposed to accommodate these species in the genus Wickerhamiella. The holotypes are W. osmotolerans DMKU VGT1-14T (ex-type strain TBRC 11425=PYCC 8359=CGMCC 2.6179; Mycobank number 833394) and W. tropicalis DMKU VGT1-19T (ex-type strain TBRC 11426=PYCC 8360=CGMCC 2.6180; Mycobank number 833393).

Four strains of anamorphic yeasts isolated from the fruiting bodies of mushrooms collected in Taiwan were found to represent two novel yeast species belonging to the genus Teunomyces, which was formally known as the Candida kruisii clade. Strains NY13M09T and NY14M14 were related to the type strains of Teunomyces panamensis, T. pallodes, T. tritomae and T. lycoperdinae, and strains GG4M07T and GG6M14 were related to T. kruisii NRRL Y-17087T and T. cretensis NRRL Y-27777T. However, strains NY13M09T and NY14M14 differed from their closest phylogenetic neighbours by 2.9–3.7 % in the D1/D2 domain sequence of the LSU rRNA gene and by 6.6–13.7 % in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS); GG4M07T and GG6M14 differed from their closest known species by 2.4 % in the D1/D2 domain sequence of the LSU rRNA gene and by 8.7–10.0 % in the ITS. Meanwhile, these strains were also clearly distinguished from their closest relatives based on the results of physiological tests. Based on the characteristics described above, the strains could be regarded as representing two novel species of the genus Teunomyces, for which the names Teunomyces basidiocarpi sp. nov. and Teunomyces luguensis sp. nov. are proposed. The holotypes are Teunomyces basidiocarpi BCRC 23475T and Teunomyces luguensis BCRC 23476T.

Using electrophoretic karyotyping, RAPD fingerprinting and phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal RNA gene sequences, twenty-six Vanderwaltozyma strains were studied. Out of 19 strains isolated in mountainous areas of Taiwan, eighteen strains were isolated from soil and one strain was isolated from the fruiting body of mushroom, six were identified as V. polyspora and three as V. verrucispora. Based on the results of a multigene sequence analysis (D1/D2, ITS and mitochondrial COX II gene) and DNA–DNA reassociation, three new ascosporic members of the genus Vanderwaltozyma are formally described: V. huisunica sp. nov. (GA1S06T = CBS 12250T = BCRC 23260T), V. meishanica sp. nov. (EN4S02T = CBS 12249T = BCRC 23255T) and V. molinica sp. nov. (GJ8S05T = CBS 12251T = BCRC 23264T), and the holotypes of these novel species are assigned as BCRC 23260T, BCRC 23255T and BCRC 23264T, respectively.

Summary Objective We investigated the diversity and drug susceptibility of pathogenic yeasts on fruit surfaces. Method Fruits were purchased from supermarkets and washed with buffer. The pellets were re-suspended in medium after centrifugation. The cell suspensions were plated onto CHROMagar Candida medium. Yeasts were identified by ribosomal DNA sequencing and their drug susceptibilities were determined by broth microdilution assay. Results Of 184 isolates, comprised of 55 species, from 22 different types of fruits, 29 species, including Candida famata , Candida fermentati , Candida guilliermondii , Candida intermedia , Candida krusei , Candida orthopsilosis , Candida parapsilosis , Candida pelliculosa , Candida tropicalis , and others have been reported to cause diseases in humans. In addition to C . krusei , intrinsically resistant to fluconazole, all Rhodotorula and Rhodosporidium species were resistant to fluconazole. One each of C . tropicalis isolate was belonged to diploid sequence type (DST)149 and DST225, genotypes also detected in isolates from humans. Furthermore, the DST225 isolate was less susceptible to azole drugs. The susceptibilities to azole drugs for clinical and agricultural usage were associated to each other. Conclusion It is important to be aware of the existence of pathogenic yeasts, especially drug-resistant ones, on the fruit surfaces, a potential route for pathogenic yeasts to be transmitted to humans.

Three strains representing a novel species of the Ogataea clade were isolated by W. T. Starmer and H. J. Phaff from rotting tissue of Opuntia phaeacantha in Arizona, USA. Analyses of the sequences of the D1/D2 LSU rRNA gene, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, and translation elongation factor-1α (EF-1 α) showed that this novel species belongs to the Ogataea polymorpha complex formed by Ogataea angusta, Ogataea parapolymorpha and Ogataea polymorpha. The novel species differs from these species by 4-5 nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domain, by 28-29 nucleotide substitutions in the EF-α gene and by 18-24 nucleotide substitutions and 2-5 indels in the ITS-5.8S region. The name Ogataea haglerorum sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species. The type strain is VKPM Y-2583T (=CBS 14645T=UCDFST 17-101T). The Mycobank number is MB 819772.

Mangroves grow in the intertidal zone, which alternates between fresh water and sea water, with abundant bioresources. In mangrove habitats, yeasts play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter, and such nutrient cycling has high ecological importance. During a study of the diversity of yeast from Taiwan mangroves, seven strains of basidiomycetous yeasts were isolated and these yeasts represent two novel yeast species belonging to the genus Vishniacozyma. According to the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of large subunit (LSU) rRNA and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, these seven strains could be clearly classified into two groups representing two individual, distinct species. Strains HM5L06, HM6L07, HM11L11 and BJ3S01, differed from their closest relative species Vishniacozyma phoenicis by 4–5 nt substitutions (no gaps) in the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of LSU rRNA and by 23 nt substitutions (10 gaps) in the ITS region. Strains HM6L11, HM7L02 and HM8L19, differed from their closest relative species Vishniacozyma penaeus by 7 nt substitutions (one gap) in the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of LSU rRNA and by 27 nt substitutions (12 gaps) in the ITS region. The scientific names of Vishniacozyma taiwanica sp. nov. and Vishniacozyma changhuana sp. nov. are proposed for these strains. The holotypes are Vishniacozyma taiwanica BCRC 23477T (ex-type HM5L06=CBS 16558; MycoBank number MB837428) and Vishniacozyma changhuana BCRC 23478T (ex-type HM6L11=CBS 16556; MycoBank number MB837429).

Cystobasidium keelungensis SN2T (CBS 6949 = BCRC 920080), a new anamorphic basidiomycetous yeast species, is described in this paper. The strains belonging to this species were isolated from the sea surface microlayer and underlying water in Taiwan. These strains were identified by examining nucleotide sequences in the species-specific D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and by evaluating their physiological characteristics. Phylogenetic analyses of D1/D2 sequences revealed that C. keelungensis was most closely related to the species C. slooffiae (LSU rRNA gene sequence divergence of 1.5%), and it belonged to the Erythrobasidium clade. No sexual reproduction was observed. This species differed from related species in carbon and nitrogen assimilation patterns and growth at 35 °C. Screening C. keelungensis for the presence of UV-absorbing compounds showed that mycosporine–glutaminol–glucoside and mycosporine–glutamicol–glucoside (maximum absorption: 310 nm) were the major UV-absorbing compounds, which differ from the compounds present in some freshwater yeast strains reported in previous studies. After UV induction, SN2 had a higher level of mycosporine production than other carotenogenic yeasts in this study.

Independent surveys of yeasts associated with lignocellulosic-related materials led to the discovery of a novel yeast species belonging to the Cyberlindnera clade (Saccharomycotina, Ascomycota). Analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that this species is related to C. japonica, C. maesa and C. easanensis. Six isolates were obtained from different sources, including rotting wood, tree bark and sugar cane filter cake in Brazil, frass from white oak in the USA and decayed leaf in Taiwan. A novel species is suggested to accommodate these isolates, for which the name C. xylosilytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of C. xylosilytica sp. nov. is NRRL YB-2097T ( = CBS 13984T = UFMG-CM-Y347T) and the allotype is UFMG-CM-Y409 ( = CBS 14083). The novel species is heterothallic and complementary mating types are represented by the type and allotype strains. The MycoBank number is MB 811428.

It is generally regarded that the petroleum cannot be renewable. However, in recent years, it has been found that many marine cyanobacteria, some eubacteria, engineered Escherichia coli, some endophytic fungi, engineered yeasts, some marine yeasts, plants, and insects can synthesize hydrocarbons with different carbon lengths. If the organisms, especially some native microorganisms and engineered bacteria and yeasts, can synthesize and secret a large amount of hydrocarbons within a short period, alkanes in the petroleum can be renewable. It has been documented that there are eight pathways for hydrocarbon biosynthesis in different organisms. Unfortunately, most of native microorganisms, engineered E. coli and engineered yeasts, only synthesize a small amount of intracellular and extracellular hydrocarbons. Recently, Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanogenum isolated from a mangrove ecosystem has been found to be able to synthesize and secret over 21.5 g/l long-chain hydrocarbons with a yield of 0.275 g/g glucose and a productivity of 0.193 g/l/h within 5 days. The yeast may have highly potential applications in alkane production.

To realize the feasibility of biodiesel production from high-lipid cell culture, microbial lipid production by the oleaginous yeasts was studied using glucose and sucrose as carbon source. Among the tested strains, Cryptococcus sp. SM5S05 accumulated the highest levels of intracellular lipids. The crude lipid contents of Cryptococcus sp. cultured in yeast malt agar reached 30% on a dry weight basis. The accumulation of lipids strongly depended on carbon/nitrogen ratio and nitrogen concentration. The highest content of lipids, measured at a carbon/nitrogen ratio of 60–90 and at a nitrogen concentration of 0.2%, was 60–57% lipids in the dry biomass. Batch cultures using corncob hydrolysate demonstrated that there was minimal inhibitory effect with a reducing sugar concentration of 60 g l −1 or higher. Batch cultures of Cryptococcus sp. SM5S05 in the corncob hydrolysate medium with 60 g l −1 glucose resulted in a dry biomass, lipid yields, and content of 12.6 g l −1 , 7.6 g l −1 , and 60.2%, respectively. The lipids contained mainly long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with 16 and 18 carbon atoms. The fatty acid profile of Cryptococcus oils was quite similar to that of conventional vegetable oil. The cost of lipid production could be further reduced with corncob hydrolysate being utilized as the raw material for the oleaginous yeast. The results showed that the microbial lipid from Cryptococcus sp. was a potential alternative resource for biodiesel production.

Ascomycetous yeast strain SM-22 was isolated from the sea-surface microlayer near the Keelung City off the northern coast of Taiwan. This strain showed a cell surface hydrophobicity higher than 90 %, moderate UV A/B resistance, and it degraded 68 % of the total petroleum hydrocarbon content of an artificial seawater medium containing 1 % (v v(-1)) diesel oil within 15 days at 25 °C. The closest phylogenetic relative of this strain is Candida oslonensis CBS 10146(T), but it differs from strain SM-22 by a 3.7 % divergence (including 18 nucleotide substitutions and 2 gaps) in the D1/D2 domain sequence of the large subunit rRNA gene. This difference clearly suggests that the strain SM-22 represents a distinct species. Strain SM-22 does not produce ascospores on common sporulation media and it can therefore be considered an anamorph of the genus Yarrowia. Thus, the name Yarrowia keelungensis sp. nov. (type strain SM-22(T) = BCRC 23110(T) = JCM 14894(T) = CBS 11062(T)) is proposed as a novel species of genus Yarrowia.

The genus Aureobasidium spp. have been divided into three species, A. pullulans. A. leucospermi and A. proteae, and A. pullulans has been known to have five varieties. However, after analysis of many strains of this yeast isolated from different environments, they do not belong to any of the three species or the five varieties. Although pullulan produced by A. pullulans has been widely used in different fields in industry and different strains of this yeast has been known to produce poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMA), heavy oils and β-1,3-glucan, it is still unknown how the black yeast synthesizes and secretes the extracellular polymers at molecular level. In this review article, new biosynthetic pathways of pullulan, PMA and heavy oils, the enzymes and their genes related to their biosynthesis and regulation are proposed. Furthermore, some enzymes and their genes related to pullulan biosynthesis in A. pullulans have been characterized. But it is completely unknown how pullulan is secreted and how PMA, heavy oils and β-1,3-glucan are synthesized and secreted. Therefore, there is much work to be done about taxonomy and biosynthesis, secretion and regulation of pullulan, PMA, heavy oils and β-1,3-glucan at molecular levels in Aureobasidium spp.

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).

Strains representing a novel ascomycetous yeast species, Candida sanyaensis, were isolated from soil samples collected on Hainan Island and Taiwan Island in China. Analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LUS) rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of these strains showed that this species was related to Candida tropicalis and Candida sojae, their closest relatives. C. sanyaensis differed by three substitutions and one gap from C. tropicalis, and by four substitutions and one gap from C. sojae, in the D1/D2 domain sequences. However, the ITS sequences of C. sanyaensis were quite divergent from the latter two species, showing that it is a genetically separate species. The novel strains were also found to have very similar PCR-fingerprinting profiles which were quite distinct from those of C. tropicalis and C. sojae strains. The type strain of C. sanyaensis is HN-26(T) (= CICC 1979(T) = CBS 12637(T)).

Cancer is the overall leading cause of death in developed countries and also worldwide, and being able to exploit an effective anticancer drug is the aim of all cancer scientists. However, many of the synthetic drugs produced so far usually cause serious side effects, which reduces their therapeutic efficacy. Discovering new drugs or auxiliary therapies derived from natural products might thus provide a novel opportunity for cancer therapy. A recent study reported that some lethal toxins can maintain their activity after being injected into mice. We therefore used two Pseudozyma spp. and three Barnettozyma spp. to examine whether these killer yeasts can preserve their lethal effect on cancer cells under the physical environment (optimum pH, temperature and osmolality, supporting a living cell accomplishes to proliferate, metabolize, differentiate and survive). Our preliminary results showed that both Barnettozyma spp. and Pseudozyma spp. have stronger cytotoxicity against HepG2 than Chang’s liver cells. According to the results of two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), a total of 115 and 27 proteins differentially expressed by 1.5-fold or more were observed for HepG2 and Chang’s liver cells, respectively. Furthermore, we explored the mechanism involved in the effect of the lethal yeast filtrates on liver cancer cells using 2D-DIGE and mass spectrometry.

Four strains representing a novel yeast species belonging to the genus Candida were independently isolated in Taiwan and Ecuador. Two strains (G17 T and G31) were isolated in Taiwan, by pellet precipitation from plastic-bottled tea drinks produced in Indonesia, while two additional strains (CLQCA 10–049 and CLQCA 10–062) were recovered from ancient chicha fermentation vessels found in tombs in Quito, Ecuador. These four strains were morphologically, and phylogenetically identical to each other. No sexual reproduction was observed on common sporulation media. Large-subunit (LSU) rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed the four strains to belong to the Lodderomyces clade, closely related to members of the Candida parapsilosis species complex. The four strains, which have identical LSU D1/D2 sequences, differ from their closest phylogenetic neighbors, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida parapsilosis , by 6–9 nt substitutions, respectively. Physiologically, the four strains are similar to Candida parapsilosis , although they can be distinguished from their closest relative by the assimilation of arbutin, nitrite, and creatine. The Indonesian and Ecuadorian strain sets can also be distinguished from one another based on ITS sequencing, differing by 4 substitutions in ITS1 and 1 single nucleotide indel in ITS2. Collectively, the results indicate that the four strains represent a previously unrecognized species of Candida . The name Candida theae sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains, with G-17 T (BCRC 23242 T = CBS 12239 T = ATCC MYA-4746 T ) designated as the type strain.

Four arthroconidium-producing yeasts were isolated from the gut of wood-inhabiting tenebrionid and passalid beetles. The rRNA genes of these yeast strains were sequenced, compared and analysed. The sequence results and other taxonomic characterizations placed two of the strains into Trichosporon porosum, and the remaining strains, EH024T and EH026 which were isolated from Xylopinus saperdioides (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), into a novel species of the genus Trichosporon in the Porosum clade. Strain EN6S23 was independently isolated from forest soil in Taiwan and was identified as the same novel species based on identical sequences in the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and similar physiological characteristics to those of strains EH024T and EH026. The three strains can assimilate cellulose and xylan as sole carbon source, and are clearly distinguished from their closest taxon, T. porosum, by 14 nt differences in the ITS and D1/D2 region. These strains did not reproduce sexually under the laboratory conditions tested. The novel species is proposed as Trichosporon xylopini sp. nov. (type strain EH024T = ATCC MYA-4670T = CBS 11841T).

During surveys on yeast diversity in forest soils from Taiwan and Thailand, ten yeast strains isolated from different samples were found to have similar molecular and physiological characteristics. Sequence analysis of small subunit (SSU) rDNA, the D1/D2 domain of large subunit (LSU) rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-5.8S rDNA demonstrated that these strains were closely related to Scheffersomyces spartinae. The novel strains could be differentiated from S. spartinae by a 0.9 % sequence divergence (5 substitutions, 0 gaps) in the D1/D2 domain of LSU rDNA, a 1.5 % divergence (8 substitutions, 0 gaps) in the ITS-5.8S rDNA and a 0.7 % divergence (12 substitutions, 2 gaps) in the SSU rDNA. The novel strains also showed specific patterns of electrophoretic karyotypes that differed from that of S. spartinae. Therefore, a novel yeast species, Candida gosingica sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate these strains. The type strain SJ7S11T (=BCRC 23194T=CBS 11433T) was assigned and deposited in the Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC), Food Industry Development and Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan, and Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS), Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Four strains of yeasts isolated in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan were found to represent three novel species of the genus Candida. The three species are located in a clade including Candida tsuchiyae, Candida thailandica and Candida akabanensis in a tree based on the D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit rRNA genes but clearly differentiated from these relative species. Three novel species are proposed for these strains, i. e., Candida berkhoutiae sp. nov., for strains ST-49(T) (=BCC 7749(T)=NBRC 106733(T)=CBS 11722(T)) isolated from insect frass in Thailand and SA13S01 (=NBRC 106053) isolated from soil in Taiwan, Candida ezoensis sp. nov., for strain Y07-1601-2(T) (=NBRC 105019(T)=CBS 11753(T)) isolated from forest soil in Japan, and Candida inulinophila sp. nov., for ST-369(T) (=BCC 15081(T)=NBRC 106735(T)=CBS 11725(T)) isolated from an unidentified wild mushroom from Thailand.

Four strains of yeasts isolated in Thailand and Taiwan were found to represent four distinct novel species of the ascomycetous anamorphic yeast genus Candida. These strains are located in the Clavispora-Metschnikowia clade in a phylogenetic tree based on the D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit rRNA genes. Together with Candida picinguabensis and Candida saopaulonensis, the four novel species constitute a well-separated subclade from other species of the Clavispora-Metschnikowia clade. Three species from Thailand are described as Candida bambusicola sp. nov. (type strain, ST-50(T) = BCC 7750(T) = NBRC 106734(T) = CBS 11723(T)), Candida nongkhaiensis sp. nov. (type strain, ST-95(T) = BCC 8331(T) = NBRC 105874(T) =CBS 11724(T)) and Candida succicola sp. nov. (type strain, ST-631(T) = BCC 15314(T) = NBRC 106736(T) = CBS 11726(T)), respectively, and the species from Taiwan is described as Candida touchengensis sp. nov. (type strain, SY4S03(T) = NBRC 102647(T) = BCRC 23097(T) = CBS 10585(T)).

Two novel yeast species, Asterotremella meifongana sp. nov. and Asterotremella nantouana sp. nov., belonging to Asterotremellaceae within the Trichosporonales, are proposed to accommodate five strains isolated from Taiwanese samples of soil and basidiocarps during 2006-2007. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene revealed that the two species are phylogenetically closely related to species of the genus Asterotremella, which indicates that they are members of the genus. The two species can be further differentiated from other Asterotremella species based on their internal transcribed spacer sequences, as well as on a few physiological test responses. The type strains are A. meifongana SN4S04(T) (=CBS 11424(T) = BCRC 23196(T)) and A. nantouana SN5S06(T) (=CBS 10890(T) = BCRC 23135(T)).

Five novel yeast species belonging to the Kodamaea clade are proposed in this paper based on nine strains isolated from mushrooms and soil in Taiwan between 2007 and 2008. These nine yeast strains were found to represent five novel yeast species based on their D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and physiological characteristics. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene revealed that the five species are phylogenetically related to Kodamaea and Candida sp. clustered into the Kodamaea clade in the phylogenetic tree. All the species reproduced asexually, and no ascospores could be found. Therefore, the scientific names of Candida alishanica sp. nov., Candida hsintzibuensis sp. nov., Candida kaohsiungensis sp. nov., Candida lidongshanica sp. nov., and Candida smagusa sp. nov. were proposed to accommodate these strains. Strains of the first species were discovered from soil; two strains of the second species were isolated from soil and the fruiting body of a mushroom, respectively; and strains of the latter three species were recovered from fruiting bodies of mushrooms. The type strains are listed as follows: C. alishanica GY43S11T(=CBS 11429T=BCRC 23188T); C. hsintzibuensis EJ7S06T(=CBS 11427T=BCRC 23183T); C. kaohsiungensis GJ10M01T(=CBS 11435T=BCRC 23197T); C. lidongshanica SD5S01T(=CBS 11426T=BCRC 23191T); and C. smagusa EN4M03T(=CBS 11430T=BCRC 23186T).

Two strains of yeasts isolated in Thailand were found to represent a novel species of the genus Vanderwaltozyma. These strains are close to V. verrucispora but differ by 13 nucleotides (2.3%) in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene. This difference clearly suggests that the two strains represent a distinct species. It is described as Vanderwaltozyma tropicalis sp. nov. Vanderwaltozyma tropicalis is distinguished from V. verrucispora by the assimilation of trehalose, inability to grow in 0.1% cycloheximide and by higher maximum growth temperature.

A new yeast species, Kazachstania wufongensis, is proposed in this paper based on six strains isolated from soil in Taiwan. The species may produce one to four ellipsoidal ascospores in each ascus, directly transformed from diploid cells. Genus assignment and distinction of the species from other recognized species of Kazachstania is based on morphological and physiological characteristics, and on phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene reveals that K. wufongensis is a member of the Kazachstania exigua complex, and its phylogenetically closest relatives are K. exigua, K. barnettii, K. bulderi, and K. turicensis. The species can be further differentiated from the other phylogenetically related species based on internal transcribed spacer sequence and electrophoretic karyotype. Therefore, the new species Kazachstania wufongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this new species, which was isolated from forest soil in Wufong, Hsinchu, Taiwan, is FN21S03(T) (=CBS 10886(T) = BCRC 23138(T)).

A new yeast species, Vanderwaltozyma verrucispora, is proposed in this study based on two strains isolated from partially decayed leaves in Japan and one strain from soil in Taiwan. The species is characterized by the fermentation of glucose and galactose, formation of one to four spheroidal to ellipsoidal ascospores with warty surfaces in each ascus, and assimilation of a few carbon and nitrogen compounds. Genus assignment and distinction of the species from the other two recognized species of Vanderwaltozyma is based on the morphological and physiological characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. From these comparisons, the name V. verrucispora sp. nov. is proposed. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene reveals that the phylogenetically closest relative of V. verrucispora is Vanderwaltozyma yarrowii. The type strain of the new species, which was isolated from a partially decayed leaf in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is NBRC 1884(T) (=CBS 10887(T)=BCRC 23141(T)).

Strain SN-82(T) was isolated from the sea-surface microlayer at Keelung on the north-east coast of Taiwan. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rDNA of strain SN-82(T) suggested that this strain is related to the aerius clade in the Filobasidiales. Phenotypic characteristics such as the absence of sexual structures and ballistoconidia, the assimilation of myo-inositol and d-glucuronate, the inability to ferment glucose, the possession of coenzyme Q-10 and positive Diazonium blue B and urease reactions also indicated that this strain belongs to the genus Cryptococcus. However, divergences of more than 3.6 % were observed in the D1/D2 domain when compared with other described Cryptococcus species, which indicated that the isolated yeast represents a previously unrecognized member of this genus. Therefore, the novel yeast species Cryptococcus keelungensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain SN-82(T) (=CBS 10876(T) =BCRC 23107(T) =JCM 14893(T)) as the type strain.

Seven yeast strains isolated from the soil in Northern Taiwan were identified as Kazachstania africana, Kazachstania exigua and Kazachstania yakushimaensis, based on morphological, physiological, and molecular characteristics. This discovery marked the first finding of this genus, which is represented by these three species, in Taiwan. The DNA sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA genes were identical to or less than three nucleotides different from that of the respective type strains. In this paper, morphological, physiological and molecular characteristics of the strains representing these three species are described.

Five strains representing one novel anamorphic yeast species were isolated from plant leaves collected in Thailand (strains DMKU-SP186T, ST-111 and ST-201) and Taiwan (strains FN20L02 and SM13L16). On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, they were assigned to a single novel species of the genus Hannaella. The sequences of the D1/D2 regions of the LSU rRNA genes of four of the strains (DMKU-SP186T, ST-111, FN20L02 and SM13L16) were identical, while differing from strain ST-201 by 2 substitutions and 2 gaps. The nucleotide sequence of the ITS regions of the five strains differed from each other by between 0 and 3 nucleotide substitutions. The novel species was most closely related to Hannaella luteola, but showed 1.0–1.3 % nucleotide substitutions (between 6 substitutions out of 568–606 nt and 8 substitutions, and 2 gaps out of 597 nt) in the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and 1.4–2.0 % nucleotide substitutions (6–9 substitutions out of 435 nt) in the ITS region. Ballistospores were produced by three of the strains on cornmeal agar at 15 and 20 °C after 4 weeks, while H. luteola did not produce ballistospores. The name Hannaella phyllophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DMKU-SP186T ( = BCC 69500T = NBRC 110428T = CBS 13921T).

Yeast communities inhabiting the sea surface microlayer (SSML) on the northern coast of Taiwan were examined using a cultivation method and compared with those inhabiting the underlying water (UW) at a 50-cm depth. Culturable yeasts were recovered from the SSML and UW samples collected in the morning during 4 field campaigns, and 420 strains were isolated. The 420 isolates were grouped into 43 species using a polyphasic molecular approach, including sequence analysis of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain and 5.8S-ITS region. From the SSML samples, 12 genera and 39 species, including 7 new species of Cryptococcus sp. (1), Candida spp. (4), and Rhodotorula spp. (2), were isolated. From the UW samples, 10 genera and 21 species, including one new species of Rhodotorula sp. (1), were isolated. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was the most abundant species present in the yeast community in SSML (37.6%) and UW (21.6%) samples. Basidiomycetous yeasts (63.6%) and pigmented yeasts (64.5%) comprised the major yeast population. The yeast community in the SSML had a higher species number and abundance than the UW. Moreover, although the majority of yeast community species were from the SSML, individual species distribution in the SSML was unequal.

A remote monitoring system based on a piezoelectric quartz crystal (SPQC) sensor was developed for the determination of the bacteria population in raw milk. The system employs the Windows XP server operating system, and its programs for data acquisition, display and transmission were developed using the LabVIEW 7.1 programming language. The circuit design consists of a circuit with a piezoelectric quartz crystal (SPQC) and a pair of electrodes. This system can provide dynamic data monitoring on a web-page via the Internet. Immersion of the electrodes in a cell culture with bacteria inoculums resulted in a change of frequency caused by the impedance change due to microbial metabolism and the adherence of bacteria on the surface of the electrodes. The calibration curve of detection times against density of bacteria showed a linear correlation coefficient ( R 2 = 0.9165) over the range of 70–10 6 CFU ml −1 . The sensor could acquire sufficient data rapidly (within 4 h) and thus enabled real-time monitoring of bacteria growth via the Internet. This system has potential application in the detection of bacteria concentration of milk at dairy farms. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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 BI118T ( = CBS 11142T = ATCC MYA-4530T).

Five strains representing a novel yeast species belonging to the genus Wickerhamomyces were independently isolated from Ecuador, Taiwan and the USA. One strain (CLQCA 10-161T) was isolated from the white flower of an unidentified plant species collected in the Maquipucuna cloud forest reserve, near Quito, in Ecuador. A second strain (GY7L12) was isolated from the leaf of a Chinese sumac or nutgall tree (Rhus chinensis ‘roxburghiana’) collected in the Taoyuan mountain area, Kachsiung, in Taiwan. Three additional strains (A543, A546 and A563) were isolated from two species of wood-boring beetle (Xyleborus glabratus and Xyleborinus saxeseni) collected near Clyo, Georgia, USA. Analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene indicated that the novel species belongs to the genus Wickerhamomyces, and is most closely related to Wickerhamomyces sydowiorum, an insect-associated species predominantly found in South Africa. The North American and Taiwanese strains have identical internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and can be distinguished from the Ecuadorian strain based on a single nucleotide substitution in the ITS1 region. The species name of Wickerhamomyces arborarius f.a., sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains, with CLQCA 10-161T ( = CBS 12941T = NCYC 3743T) designated the type strain.

This review describes the molecular studies of Schwanniomyces occidentalis (Debaryomyces occidentalis) concerning transformation, genome, gene cloning, gene structure, gene expression and its characteristics to application. Schw. occidentalis appears to have at least five or seven chromosomes and no native plasmid from the yeast has been reported. Four transformation systems based on complement of Schw. occidentalis auxotrophic mutants were established. Vectors with the replicon of 2-micron plasmid and autonomous replication sequences (ARS) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schw. occidentalis ARS replicated extrachromosomally in Schw. occidentalis transformants, without modification of the transformed vector DNA. So far, at least 21 Schw. occidentalis genes encoding 14 different proteins have been cloned. Most of the Schw. occidentalis genes have shown homologies (45 to 91%) with the corresponding genes of other organisms, especially of S. cerevisiae. However, some Schw. occidentalis genes possess other unique structures for their operators, promoters, transcription initiation sites, and terminators. Some foreign genes were expressed in Schw. occidentalis, while Schw. occidentalis genes functioned in other yeasts and bacteria, Escherichia coli, and Streptomyces lividans. Due to a strong ability of secretion and low level of glycosylation, Schw. occidentalis might be a promising host to produce heterologous proteins.

Two novel yeast species, Tetrapisispora taiwanensis sp. nov. and Tetrapisispora pingtungensis sp. nov., belonging to the Saccharomycetaceae within the Saccharomycetales, are proposed to accommodate six strains isolated from samples of Taiwanese forest soil between 2005 and 2010. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the D1/D2 domains of the large-subunit (LSU) rRNA gene revealed that the two species are phylogenetically closely related to species of the genus Tetrapisispora. Moreover, the assimilation spectrum of carbon and nitrogen sources and morphological characteristics are very similar to those of other Tetrapisispora species. The molecular, morphological and physiological characteristics described above indicate that these two species should be classified as members of the genus Tetrapisispora. The two species can be differentiated from each other and from other Tetrapisispora species based on their LSU D1/D2 rRNA gene and ITS sequences. Thus, the two species could be regarded as novel species of the genus Tetrapisispora, and the names Tetrapisispora taiwanensis sp. nov. (type strain SJ6S04T = CBS 10586T = NBRC 102652T = BCRC 23090T) and Tetrapisispora pingtungensis sp. nov. (type strain NC2S06T = CBS 12780T = BCRC 23409T) are proposed. The type strains of the two species were isolated from forest soil in Leinhuatsu Park, Nantou, in 2006 and from Hungchun, Pingtung, in 2009, respectively.

Two new species of Ramicandelaber isolated from soil in Taiwan are described. Ramicandelaber fabisporus sp. nov. is characterized by having bean-shaped spores that are the smallest in the genus and also by the absence of lateral branches on the sporangiophores. Ramicandelaber taiwanensis sp. nov. is characterized by small, fusiform spores and it produces lateral branches that arise from the sporangiophores. Morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analysis (D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA genes and ITS region) justify these new species of Ramicandelaber. A key is provided to the recognized species of Ramicandelaber.

Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-28T14:12:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000309889400009.pdf: 1706691 bytes, checksum: b7c188ac88fe5caf97006c61887b511f (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T18:47:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 WOS000309889400009.pdf: 1706691 bytes, checksum: b7c188ac88fe5caf97006c61887b511f (MD5) WOS000309889400009.pdf.txt: 53174 bytes, checksum: 68557318676cf691b3300cc209ab8da7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-09 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:56:33Z No. of bitstreams: 2 WOS000309889400009.pdf: 1706691 bytes, checksum: b7c188ac88fe5caf97006c61887b511f (MD5) WOS000309889400009.pdf.txt: 53174 bytes, checksum: 68557318676cf691b3300cc209ab8da7 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:56:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 WOS000309889400009.pdf: 1706691 bytes, checksum: b7c188ac88fe5caf97006c61887b511f (MD5) WOS000309889400009.pdf.txt: 53174 bytes, checksum: 68557318676cf691b3300cc209ab8da7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-09 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency BANDEIRANTE Energy S. A. National Science Foundation Background: Independent surveys across the globe led to the proposal of a new basidiomycetous yeast genus within the Bulleromyces clade of the Tremellales, Bandoniozyma gen. nov., with seven new species.Methodology/Principal Findings: The species were characterized by multiple methods, including the analysis of D1/D2 and ITS nucleotide sequences, and morphological and physiological/biochemical traits. Most species can ferment glucose, which is an unusual trait among basidiomycetous yeasts.Conclusions/Significance: In this study we propose the new yeast genus Bandoniozyma, with seven species Bandoniozyma noutii sp. nov. (type species of genus; CBS 8364(T) = DBVPG 4489(T)), Bandoniozyma aquatica sp. nov. (UFMG-DH4.20(T) = CBS 12527(T) = ATCC MYA-4876(T)), Bandoniozyma complexa sp. nov. (CBS 11570(T) = ATCC MYA-4603(T) = MA28a(T)), Bandoniozyma fermentans sp. nov. (CBS 12399(T) = NU7M71(T) = BCRC 23267(T)), Bandoniozyma glucofermentans sp. nov. (CBS 10381(T) = NRRL Y-48076(T) = ATCC MYA-4760(T) = BG 02-7-15-015A-1-1(T)), Bandoniozyma tunnelae sp. nov. (CBS 8024(T) = DBVPG 7000(T)), and Bandoniozyma visegradensis sp. nov. (CBS 12505(T) = NRRL Y-48783(T) = NCAIM Y.01952(T)). Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Ctr Biotecnol, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Cent Bur Schimmelcultures Fungal Biodivers Ctr, Utrecht, Netherlands São Paulo State Univ, Dept Bioquim & Microbiol, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Ctr Pluridisciplinar Pesquisas Quim Biol & Agr, Div Recursos Microbianos, Campinas, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Microbiol, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Tocantins, Lab Microbiol Ambiental & Biotecnol, Palmas, TO, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Microbiol Prof Paulo de Goes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Natl Hsinchu Univ Educ, Dept Appl Sci, Hsinchu, Taiwan Amer Type Culture Collect, Mycol & Bot Program, Manassas, VA USA Corvinus Univ Budapest, Fac Food Sci, Budapest, Hungary Univ Miami, Rosenstiel Sch Marine & Atmospher Sci, Key Biscayne, FL USA São Paulo State Univ, Dept Bioquim & Microbiol, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil NSF: DEB-0206521 NSF: DEB-0072741 NSF: REU NSF: DEB-0417180 NSF: TAMOP 4.2.1/B-09/1/KMR-2010-0005

During a survey of unidentified yeast isolates deposited in the UNESCO-MIRCEN Biotech- nological Yeast Culture Collection housed at the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology of the University of the Free State, one isolate obtained from soil in South Africa showed 100 % identity in D1/D2 rDNA sequence with unde- scribed basidiomycetous yeasts isolated from the gut of beetles from the United States of America and forest soil from Taiwan in the NCBI sequence database. Phylogenetic analyses using sequences of the D1/D2 rDNA and ITS regions indicated that all these isolates form a well-supported sub-clade that is the sister clade to the Brassicae plus Porosum clades of Trichosporon in the order Trichosporonales. Subsequent phenotypic tests revealed that asexual reproduction by budding is rare but dominated by arthroconidia resulting from segmentation of hyphae and that fusiform giant cells are characterized by budding from a broad base. These findings further suggest that these isolates belong to a single tremellomycetous yeast species for which the name Trichosporon vanderwaltii CBS 12124 T (=NRRL Y-48732 T , =UOFS Y-1920 T )i s proposed.

Four strains of a novel heterothallic yeast species were isolated from rotten wood samples collected at different locations in Hungary. Analysis of sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene placed the novel species in the genus Spencermartinsiella. The novel species can be distinguished from Spencermartinsiella europaea, the single species of the genus, and from Candida cellulosicola, the only recognized anamorphic species of the Spencermartinsiella clade, on the basis of standard phenotypic characteristics. The relatedness among the four strains of the novel species and two closely related strains representing undescribed yeast species is discussed. The name Spencermartinsiella ligniputridi sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate the four novel strains. The type and isotype strains of Spencermartinsiella ligniputridi sp. nov. are NCAIM Y.01992T ( = CBS 12585T = NRRL Y-48818T) and NCAIM Y.01936I ( = CBS 12586I = NRRL Y-48819I), respectively. Two additional strains are NCAIM Y.01991 and NCAIM Y.01993.

Genetic hybridization, sequence and karyotypic analyses of natural Saccharomyces yeasts isolated in different regions of Taiwan revealed three biological species: Saccharomyces arboricola, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces kudriavzevii. Intraspecies variability of the D1/D2 and ITS1 rDNA sequences was detected among S. cerevisiae and S. kudriavzevii isolates. According to molecular and genetic analyses, the cosmopolitan species S. cerevisiae and S. kudriavzevii contain local divergent populations in Taiwan, Malaysia and Japan. Six of the seven known Saccharomyces species are documented in East Asia: S. arboricola, S. bayanus, S. cerevisiae, S. kudriavzevii, S. mikatae, and S. paradoxus.

Infections caused by treatment-resistant non-albicans Candida species, such as C. tropicalis, has increased, which is an emerging challenge in the management of fungal infections. Genetically related diploid sequence type (DST) strains of C. tropicalis exhibiting reduced susceptibility to fluconazole circulated widely in Taiwan. To identify the potential source of these wildly distributed DST strains, we investigated the possibility of the presence in soil of such C. tropicalis strains by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and DST typing methods. A total of 56 C. tropicalis isolates were recovered from 26 out of 477 soil samples. Among the 18 isolates with reduced susceptibility to fluconazole, 9 belonged to DST149 and 3 belonged to DST140. Both DSTs have been recovered from our previous studies on clinical isolates from the Taiwan Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance of Yeasts (TSARY) program. Furthermore, these isolates were more resistant to agricultural azoles. We have found genetically related C. tropicalis exhibiting reduced susceptibility to fluconazole from the human hosts and environmental samples. Therefore, to prevent patients from acquiring C. tropicalis with reduced susceptibility to azoles, prudent use of azoles in both clinical and agricultural settings is advocated.

Arthroascus fermentans, a new arthrosporous, fermenting, ascogenous yeast species, is described. The three strains of the species included in this study were isolated from soil samples obtained from different orchards in Taiwan. The species is homothallic, and the major ubiquinone isoprenolog is Q-8. DNA hybridization and DNA base composition data indicate that A. fermentans is a species that is distinct from previously described Arthroascus species. The type strain of A. fermentans is strain 80D2303, which has been deposited in the Culture Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan, as strain CCRC 22530.

Three apiculate yeast strains, EJ7M09T, GJ5M15 and GJ15M04, isolated from mushrooms in Taiwan were found to represent a novel species of the genus Kloeckera. The phylogenetically closest relative of this novel species is Hanseniaspora occidentalis, but the type strain of H. occidentalis differed by 4.6 % divergence (25 substitutions; 5 gaps) in the sequence of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene. This difference clearly suggests that the three strains represent a distinct species. As none of the strains that were examined in this study produced ascospores or exhibited conjugation on common sporulation medium either alone or in a pairwise mixture, this species could be considered as an anamorphic member of the genus Hanseniaspora, and a novel species, Kloeckera taiwanica sp. nov., is proposed, with EJ7M09T ( = BCRC 23182T = CBS 11434T) as the type strain.

Some Candida species that were similar in phenotypic characteristics were studied by molecular taxonomic comparisons including electrophoretic karyotypes, DNA base composition, and DNA relatedness. Among the species studied, Candida terebra, Candida entomaea, and Candida veronae showed similar electrophoretic karyotypes and a G + C range from 39.7 to 40.2 mol% in DNA base composition, and demonstrated 85–104% DNA similarity on the basis of flourometric hybridization in microdilution wells. As C. terebra has priority, we suggest that C. entomaea and C. veronae should be synonyms of C. terebra. Other species in this study, Candida dendronema, Candida diddensiae, Candida naeodendra, and Candida atmospherica, had low DNA relatedness. Thus, these species should be maintained in their original separate taxa.Key words: DNA reassociation, electrokaryotype, Candida species, synonym.