Starmerella anomalae f.a., sp. nov., Starmerella asiatica f.a., sp. nov., Starmerella henanensis f.a., sp. nov. and Starmerella scarabaei f.a., sp. nov., four yeast species isolated from scarab beetles.

Eleven yeast strains representing four novel species of the genus Starmerella were isolated from scarabs beetles collected in Nanyang, Henan Province, Central China. Phylogenetic analysis using combined sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions placed all the novel species in a clade distinct from the other known species in the clade representing the members of the genus Starmerella. These novel species differed from each other or their closest known species by more than 4.9 % nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains and by more than 9.1 % nucleotide substitutions in the ITS regions. The four novel species can also be separated from their closest relatives in terms of physiological characteristics. No asci or signs of conjugation were found in the novel species on the most common sporulation media. The novel species are designated as Starmerella anomalae f.a., sp. nov. (type strain NYNU 157145T=CICC 33094T=CBS 14178T), Starmerella asiatica f.a., sp. nov. (type strain NYNU 15782T=CICC 33089T=CBS 14173T), Starmerella henanensis f.a., sp. nov. (type strain NYNU 15766T=CICC 33088T=CBS 14172T) and Starmerella scarabaei f.a., sp. nov. (type strain NYNU 15821T=CICC 33090T=CBS 14174T).

Taxonomy and physiological characterisation of Scheffersomyces titanus sp. nov., a new D-xylose-fermenting yeast species from China.

Three strains of a d-xylose-fermenting yeast species were isolated from the host beetle Dorcus titanus collected from two different localities in Henan Province, Central China. These strains formed two hat-shaped ascospores in conjugated and deliquescent asci. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis that included the nearly complete small subunit (SSU), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rDNAs, as well as RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1) gene demonstrated that these strains represent a novel yeast species belonging to the genus Scheffersomyces. The phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequences of the xylose reductase (XYL1) gene supported the view that the new strains could be grouped as a unique species. Although this new species is highly similar to Scheffersomyces stipitis-like yeasts in terms of nrDNA sequences and morphological and physiological characteristics, the species can be clearly differentiated from its close relatives on the basis of the sequences of XYL1 and RPB1. Therefore, a novel yeast species, Scheffersomyces titanus sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate these strains. The type strain is NYNU 14712(T) (CICC 33061(T) = CBS 13926(T)).

Five novel species in the Lodderomyces clade associated with insects.

During a survey of yeasts associated with insects in Central China's natural ecosystems, 116 yeast strains were isolated from the gut of adult insects in two families and from one beetle larva. Among the yeasts isolated in this study, 102 strains were identified as 20 known species in the class Saccharomycetes. The remaining 14 strains were identified as representing five novel species in the Lodderomyces clade based on the combined sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, as well as other taxonomic characteristics. Lodderomyces beijingensis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 14171T=CICC 33087T=NYNU 15764T) formed a clade with Lodderomyces elongisporus and Candida oxycetoniae. The other four novel species, namely Candida margitis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 14175T=CICC 33091T=NYNU 15857T), Candida xiaguanensis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 13923T=CICC 33056T=NYNU 1488T), Candida parachauliodis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 13928T=CICC 33058T=NYNU 14959T) and Candida coleopterorum sp. nov. (type strain CBS 14180T=CICC 33084T=NYNU 1582T), showed close relationships to the species near Candida parapsilosis, Candida sakaeoensis, Candida chauliodes and Candida corydalis. Descriptions of these novel yeast species are provided as well as discussions of their ecology in relation to their insect hosts.

Nematodospora anomalae sp. nov., a novel and D-xylose-fermenting yeast species in the Lodderomyces clade.

Three strains of a novel species of ascomycetous yeast were isolated from the beetle species Anomala corpulenta (Scarabaeoidea) collected from the Baotianman and Funiu Mountains of China. These strains produced conjugated asci with a single coiled ascospore. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer regions demonstrated that the three strains were closely related to Nematodospora valgi and an undescribed yeast strain, 13Y231. The novel strains could be differentiated from N. valgi CBS 12562T by a 1.6 % sequence divergence (9 substitutions) and from the undescribed yeast strain, 13Y231, by a 1.1 % sequence divergence (6 substitutions) in the D1/D2 sequences. The ITS sequences of these strains displayed more than 4.1 % sequence divergence (12-22 substitutions and 7-8 gaps) from their two closest relatives. Interestingly, all the three strains could ferment d-xylose to ethanol effectively, a rare property among members of the Lodderomyces clade. Therefore, a novel yeast species, Nematodosporaanomalae sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate these strains. The type strain of N.anomalae sp. nov. is NYNU 14914T (=CICC 33059T=CBS 13927T). The MycoBank number is MB 816795.