Gábor Péter

Biodiversity and ecophysiology of yeasts

1 Yeast Biodiversity: How Many and How Much?.- 2 Yeast Systematics and Phylogeny -- Implications of Molecular Identification Methods for Studies in Ecology.-3 Yeast Biodiversity and Culture Collections.- 4 Genomics and Biodiversity in Yeasts.- 5 Methods for Investigating Yeast Biodiversity.- 6 Sugar Metabolism in Yeasts: an Overview of Aerobic and Anaerobic Glucose Catabolism.- 7 Diversity of Nitrogen Metabolism Among Yeast Species: Regulatory and Evolutionary Aspects.- 8 Environmental Factors Influencing Yeasts.- 9 Yeast Responses to Stresses.- 10 Antagonistic Interactions Among Yeasts.- 11 Yeasts in Soil.- 12 Yeast Biodiversity in Freshwater, Marine and Deep-Sea Environments.- 13 Phylloplane Yeasts.- 14 Yeast and Invertebrate Associations.- 15 Yeasts in Extreme Environments.- 16 Yeast Biodiversity in the Antarctic.- 17 Yeast Biodiversity in Tropical Forests of Asia.- 18 Yeast Communities in Tropical Rain Forests in Brazil and other South American Ecosystems.- 19 The Biogeographic Diversity of Cactophilic Yeasts.- 20 Black Yeasts and Meristematic Fungi: Ecology, Diversity and Identification.- 21 Yeasts as Indicators of Environmental Quality.- 22 Yeast Biodiversity and Biotechnology

Bandoniozyma gen. nov., a Genus of Fermentative and Non-Fermentative Tremellaceous Yeast Species

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 8364T  =  DBVPG 4489T), Bandoniozyma aquatica sp. nov. (UFMG-DH4.20T  =  CBS 12527T  =  ATCC MYA-4876T), Bandoniozyma complexa sp. nov. (CBS 11570T  =  ATCC MYA-4603T  =  MA28aT), Bandoniozyma fermentans sp. nov. (CBS 12399T  =  NU7M71T  =  BCRC 23267T), Bandoniozyma glucofermentans sp. nov. (CBS 10381T  =  NRRL Y-48076T  =  ATCC MYA-4760T  =  BG 02-7-15-015A-1-1T), Bandoniozyma tunnelae sp. nov. (CBS 8024T  =  DBVPG 7000T), and Bandoniozyma visegradensis sp. nov. (CBS 12505T  =  NRRL Y-48783T  =  NCAIM Y.01952T).

Candida adriatica sp. nov. and Candida molendinolei sp. nov., two yeast species isolated from olive oil and its by-products.

Thirteen strains isolated from virgin olive oil or its by-products in several Mediterranean countries were found to be phenotypically and genetically divergent from currently recognized yeast species. Sequence analysis of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA D1/D2 domain and internal transcribed spacer regions/5.8S rDNA revealed that the strains represented two novel species described as Candida adriatica sp. nov. (type strain ZIM 2334(T) = CBS 12504(T) = NCAIM Y.02001(T)) and Candida molendinolei sp. nov. (type strain DBVPG 5508(T) = CBS 12508(T) = NCAIM Y.02000(T)). Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated sequences of the small subunit rRNA gene, the D1/D2 region of the LSU rDNA and the translation elongation factor-1α gene suggested that C. adriatica sp. nov. and C. molendinolei sp. nov. should be placed within the Lindnera and Nakazawaea clades, respectively.

Candida ogatae sp. nov., an anamorphic member of the Kuraishia clade

Three methanol-assimilating yeast strains representing a hitherto undescribed species were isolated from rotten wood and freshwater samples collected in Hungary. Analysis of the D1/D2 large subunit rRNA gene sequences placed the strains in the Kuraishia clade; however, no ascospore formation was observed. These strains differ from Candida hungarica, the genetically most closely related recognized species, by four and five substitutions in D1/D2 and by >1% and 4% differences in the internal transcribed spacer and in the mitochondrial small subunit rRNA gene regions, respectively. Some phenotypic differences were also observed. Candida ogatae, a novel yeast species, is proposed to accommodate these isolates. The type culture is NCAIM Y.01845(T) (CBS 10924, NRRL Y-48474).

Spencermartinsiella europaea gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Trichomonascaceae

Ten strains of a novel heterothallic yeast species were isolated from rotten wood collected at different locations in Hungary. Analysis of gene sequences for the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA, as well as analysis of concatenated gene sequences for the nearly complete nuclear large subunit rRNA, nuclear small subunit rRNA and translation elongation factor 1-α, placed the novel species in the family Trichomonascaceae, but showed that it was distinct from all currently recognized genera. The name Spencermartinsiella europaea gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate the new genus and novel species. The novel species could be distinguished from recognized species of neighbouring genera on the basis of standard phenotypic characteristics. The type and isotype strains of Spencermartinsiella europaea are NCAIM Y.01817(T) ( = NRRL Y-48265(T) =  CBS 11730(T)) and NCAIM Y.01819(I) ( = NRRL Y-48266(I) = CBS 11731(I)), respectively.

Ogataea allantospora sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species from phylloplane

Following a two-step enrichment in methanol containing broth, methylotrophic yeast strains were isolated from about 45% of the leaf samples collected from broad leafed deciduous trees and from herbs in Hungary. During the enrichment process protists predating the yeasts were observed. Based on standard phenotypical tests and the D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit (26S) rDNA of the yeast strains recovered from the phylloplane, some of them represent previously unknown species. The description of a new methylotrophic yeast species, Ogataea allantospora [type strain: NCAIM Y.01822T (CBS 10576, NRRL Y-48267)], isolated from phylloplane is given. The proposed new species is the first member of the genus which forms allantoid ascospores, therefore the emendation of the diagnosis of the genus Ogataea Yamada, Maeda & Mikata is proposed.

Yarrowia divulgata f.a., sp. nov., a yeast species from animal-related and marine sources

Five yeast strains, phenotypically indistinguishable from Yarrowia lipolytica and Yarrowia deformans, were recovered from different animal-related samples. One strain was isolated from a bacon processing plant in Denmark, two strains from chicken liver in the USA, one strain from chicken breast in Hungary and one from minced beef in Hungary. Comparisons of the sequences of their large subunit rRNA gene D1/D2 domain and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions revealed that, despite their phenotypic similarity, they represent a novel yeast species of the Yarrowia clade with Y. deformans being the genotypically closest relative (LSU rRNA gene D1/D2 and ITS region similarity of 97.0 and 93.7 %, respectively). Yarrowia divulgata f.a., sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains with F6-17(T) ( = CBS 11013(T) = CCUG 56725(T)) as the type strain. Some D1/D2 sequences of yeasts from marine habitats were found in the GenBank database that were identical to those of the strains of Y. divulgata f.a., sp. nov. Unfortunately, these strains were not available for our study.

Ogataea nitratoaversa sp. nov., a methylotrophic yeast species from temperate forest habitats

Three methanol-assimilating, nitrate-negative yeast strains representing a hitherto undescribed species, were isolated from leaf and rotten wood samples collected in temperate forests in Hungary. Analysis of the D1/D2 large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences placed the strains in the Ogataea clade. The three strains share identical D1/D2 and ITS sequences and significantly differ from the genetically most closely related species, Pichia pilisensis. Five substitutions in D1/D2 and more than 10% difference in the ITS regions were detected. A novel yeast species, Ogataea nitratoaversa, is proposed to accommodate these isolates. The type culture is NCAIM Y.01837T (CBS 10796, NRRL Y-48449). As the current description of the genus does not allow the inclusion of nitrate negative species, the emendation of the diagnosis of the genus Ogataea Yamada, Maeda and Mikata is proposed.

Ogataea populialbae sp. nov., a yeast species from white poplar

During a survey of methylotrophic yeasts in natural habitats in Hungary, the yeast community associated with the exudates of white poplar (Populus alba) was found to be unique among the tree exudates hitherto investigated. Nineteen methanol-assimilating yeast strains representing an undescribed ascomycetous species were isolated from tree exudates of P. alba collected at different locations in Hungary. Analysis of the D1/D2 large subunit rRNA gene sequences placed the strains in the Ogataea clade and the new species is described as Ogataea populialbae. The type culture is NCAIM Y.01853(T) (CBS 11363, NRRL Y-48632).

Ogataea kolombanensis sp. nov., Ogataea histrianica sp. nov. and Ogataea deakii sp. nov., three novel yeast species from plant sources

Nine methanol-assimilating yeast strains isolated from olive oil sediments in Slovenia, extra virgin olive oil from Italy and rotten wood collected in Hungary were found to form three genetically separated groups, distinct from the currently recognized yeast species. Sequence analysis from genes of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA, internal transcribed spacer region/5.8S rRNA, large subunit (LSU) rRNA D1/D2 domains and translational elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) revealed that the three closely related groups represent three different undescribed yeast species. Sequence analysis of the LSU rRNA gene D1/D2 domains placed the novel species in the Ogataea clade. The three novel species are designated as Ogataea kolombanensis sp. nov. (type strain: ZIM 2322(T) = CBS 12778(T) = NRRL Y-63657(T)), Ogataea histrianica sp. nov. (type strain: ZIM 2463(T) = CBS 12779(T) = NRRL Y-63658(T)) and Ogataea deakii sp. nov. (type strain: NCAIM Y.01896(T) = CBS 12735(T) = NRRL Y-63656(T)).