Starmerella orientalis f.a., sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species isolated from flowers.

Four strains of a novel ascomycetous yeast species were isolated from flowers in Iran and China. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the ITS region (including 5.8S rRNA gene) and the LSU rRNA gene D1/D2 domains indicated that these strains belong to the Starmerella clade and show divergence from previously described species in this clade. Growth reactions on carbon and nitrogen sources were similar to those observed in related species of the Starmerella clade. Sexual reproduction was not observed after mating tests on different sporulation media. Based on physiological characteristics and phylogeny of rRNA gene sequences, the novel species is most closely related to Candida (iter. nom. Starmerella) powellii and Candida (iter. nom. Starmerella) floricola. It is therefore assigned to the genus Starmerella and described as Starmerella orientalis f.a., sp. nov. The type strain is SAM09T ( = IBRC-M 30204T = CBS 14142T). The MycoBank accession number is MB 814379.