Expanding the geographical distribution of Blastobotrys malaysiensis (Saccharomycetales) beyond the Asian continent – a cave fungus first reported in the Americas

Abstract

Saccharomycetales are ascomycetic yeasts and, amongst them, the genus Blastobotrys has approximately 30 known species. Blastobotrys malaysiensis is a yeast species, described from cave samples, known until then only from Malaysia. In this study, we characterise a new strain and report the second occurrence record of this species. Here, Blastobotrys malaysiensis URM 8507/SXS 675, was collected from sediments samples from a cave in the Parque Estadual de Terra Ronca (PETER) in Goiás, Brazil. Phylogenetic analyses revealed strong support with the sequence of the species type, as well as with other species of the clade. This new record contributes by providing new molecular data for the species and expanding the knowledge of its distribution beyond the Asian continent. First record of a yeast for the American continent and its second mention for the world.