Teunia rosae sp. nov. and Teunia rudbeckiae sp. nov. (Cryptococcaceae, Tremellales), two novel basidiomycetous yeast species isolated from flowers

Abstract

Three yeast strains isolated from three flower samples were identified as representing two novel species of Teunia based on molecular phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic comparisons. Strains 12A8 and 21S4 with pink cream colonies and subglobose to globose cells had identical sequences in the ITS and LSU D1/D2 regions, which differed from strain X54 with cream colonies and ovoid to ellipsoidal cells by 6 nt substitutions (1 %) and 9 nt mismatches (1.5 %) in the D1/D2 domains and ITS region, respectively. They could also be distinguished from each other in assimilation of glucitol and salicin, growth at 28 °C and cell fibrillar appendages under scanning electron microscopy. The three strains differed from known species of Teunia by more than 8 nt (1.3 %) and 30 nt (5 %) in the D1/D2 domains and ITS region, respectively. Therefore, the names Teunia rudbeckiae sp. nov. (Holotype CGMCC 2.5840, Mycobank MB 835892) and Teunia rosae sp. nov. (Holotype CGMCC 2.5830, MycoBank MB 835891) are proposed to accommodate strain X54, and strains 12A8 and 21S4, respectively.