- Volume 62, Issue Pt_11, 2012

A novel Gram-staining-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain LHW37T, was isolated from a dead ark clam collected on the south coast of Korea. The novel strain grew optimally at 37 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and the predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel strain was most closely related to Neptunomonas japonica JAMM 0745T (97.1 % sequence similarity). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain LHW37T was 48.2 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness values recorded in hybridization experiments between the novel strain and its closest known relative were ≤18 %. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain LHW37T represents a novel species belonging to the genus Neptunomonas for which the name Neptunomonas concharum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LHW37T ( = KACC 15543T  = JCM 17730T). An emended description of the genus Neptunomonas is also provided.

The taxonomic positions of two Gram-staining-negative, psychrophilic bacteria, which were isolated from alpine glacier cryoconite and designated strains Cr4-12T and Cr4-35T, were investigated using a polyphasic approach. Both novel strains contained ubiquinone Q-8 as the sole quinone, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0 as the dominant cellular fatty acids, putrescine and 2-hydroxyputrescine as the major polyamines, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains Cr4-12T and Cr4-35T were 61.3 mol% and 60.7 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains belonged to the genus Polaromonas . Although the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains Cr4-12T and Cr4-35T were very similar (98.7 % sequence similarity), hybridizations indicated a DNA–DNA relatedness value of only 26.9 % between the two novel strains. In pairwise comparisons with the type strains of recognized Polaromonas species, strains Cr4-12T and Cr4-35T showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 96.4–98.5 % and 96.5–98.4 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence and DNA–DNA relatedness data, strains Cr4-12T and Cr4-35T represent two novel species within the genus Polaromonas , for which the names Polaromonas glacialis sp. nov. and Polaromonas cryoconiti sp. nov., respectively, are proposed. The type strain of Polaromonas glacialis sp. nov. is Cr4-12T ( = DSM 24062T  = LMG 26049T  = KACC 15089T) and that of Polaromonas cryoconiti sp. nov. is Cr4-35T ( = DSM 24248T  = LMG 26050T  = KACC 15090T).

Three chickpea rhizobial strains (CCBAU 83963T, CCBAU 83939 and CCBAU 83908), which were identified previously as representing a distinctive genospecies, were further studied here and compared taxonomically with related species in the genus Mesorhizobium . Results from SDS-PAGE of whole-cell soluble proteins revealed differences from closely related recognized species of the genus Mesorhizobium . Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness were 15.28–50.97 % between strain CCBAU 83963T and the type strains of recognized Mesorhizobium species (except for Mesorhizobium thiogangeticum ). Strain CCBAU 83963T contained fatty acids characteristic of members of the genus Mesorhizobium , but it possessed high concentrations of C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and iso-C17 : 0. Strain CCBAU 83963T had phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids, and an ornithine-containing lipid, phosphatidyl-N-dimethylethanolamine and cardiolipin as minor components. Nodulation tests demonstrated the distinct symbiotic character of strain CCBAU 83963T; only Cicer arietinum, its host plant, could be invaded to form effective nitrogen-fixing nodules. The narrow spectrum of utilization of sole carbon sources, lower resistance to antibiotics, and NaCl, pH and temperature growth ranges differentiated these novel rhizobia from recognized species of the genus Mesorhizobium . Based on the data presented, the three novel rhizobial strains are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mesorhizobium , for which the name Mesorhizobium muleiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CCBAU 83963T ( = HAMBI 3264T = CGMCC 1.11022T).

A strictly aerobic, halotolerant, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain DG1253T, was isolated from a laboratory culture of the marine dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum (CCAP 1121/2). The strain was able to degrade two- and three-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It exhibited a narrow nutritional spectrum, preferring to utilize aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds and small organic acids. Cells produced surface blebs and contained a single polar flagellum. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of strain DG1253T was Q-8. The fatty acid profile was dominated by C18 : 1ω7c. The mean DNA G+C content of strain DG1253T was 63.6±0.25 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed this organism within the order Xanthomonadales of the class Gammaproteobacteria . Its closest relatives included representatives of the Hydrocarboniphaga – Nevskia – Sinobacter clade (≤89.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) in the family Sinobacteraceae . On the basis of distinct phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain DG1253T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the class Gammaproteobacteria , for which the name Algiphilus aromaticivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species, Algiphilus aromaticivorans, is DG1253T ( = ATCC BAA-2243T = DSM 24793T). In addition, a new family, Algiphilaceae fam. nov., is proposed to accommodate the genus Algiphilus.

A Gram-negative, coccoid-shaped bacterium, strain CC-CCM15-8T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of the plant Crossostephium chinense (L.) Makino (Seremban) from Budai Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis clearly allocated strain CC-CCM15-8T to the Paracoccus cluster, showing highest similarities to the type strains of ‘Paracoccus beibuensis’ (98.8 %), Paracoccus homiensis (97.6 %), Paracoccus aestuarii (97.7 %) and Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens (97.7 %). The fatty acid profile, comprising C18 : 1ω7c as the major component and C10 : 0 3-OH as the characteristic hydroxylated fatty acid, supported the placement of strain CC-CCM15-8T within the genus Paracoccus . The polyamine pattern consisted of putrescine and spermidine as major components. Ubiqinone Q-10 was the major quinone type (95 %); ubiquinone Q-9 was also detected (5 %). The complex polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and unidentified phospholipids, lipids and glycolipids. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain CC-CCM15-8T and ‘P. beibuensis’ LMG 25871T, P. aestuarii DSM 19484T, P. zeaxanthinifaciens LMG 21993T and P. homiensis KACC 11518T were 24.9 % (34.8 %, reciprocal analysis), 15.7 % (17.5 %), 17.7 % (23.4 %) and 16.0 % (25.4 %), respectively. Physiological and biochemical test results allowed the phenotypic differentiation of strain CC-CCM15-8T from its closest relatives in the genus Paracoccus . Based on the data presented, it is concluded that strain CC-CCM15-8T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus , for which the name Paracoccus rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CCM15-8T ( = LMG 26205T = CCM 7904T).

A Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile strain, designated 2-1-2T, was isolated from perchloroethylene/trichloroethene-contaminated soil in Suwon, South Korea. A polyphasic approach was used to study the taxonomic position of strain 2-1-2T. Strain 2-1-2T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Sphingobacterium daejeonense TR6-04T (97.9 %) and Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299T (97.1 %); sequence similarities to other Sphingobacterium species were less than 93.0 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 2-1-2T belonged to the clade formed by members of the genus Sphingobacterium in the family Sphingobacteriaceae . The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.6 mol%. Strain 2-1-2T showed the typical chemotaxonomic features of the genus Sphingobacterium , with the presence of a ceramide phosphorylethanolamine (CerPE-2) as the major ceramide, menaquinone 7 (MK-7) as the predominant respiratory quinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c) as the major fatty acids. On the basis of phylogenetic inference, fatty acid profile and other phenotypic properties, and DNA–DNA relatedness, strain 2-1-2T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium kyonggiense sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is 2-1-2T ( = KEMC 2241-005T = JCM 16704T). Emended descriptions of Sphingobacterium daejeonense and Sphingobacterium mizutaii are also proposed.

A salmon-red-pigmented bacterial strain, designated M-8T, was isolated from a polluted farmland soil sample in China and was characterized in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain M-8T was Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and non-spore-forming. Growth occurred at 20–37 °C, at pH 5.0–10.0 and with 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain M-8T belonged to the genus Terrimonas .16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain M-8T and the type strains of the three recognized species of the genus Terrimonas , Terrimonas ferruginea KACC 11310T, Terrimonas aquatica LMG 24825T and Terrimonas lutea KACC 13047T, were 97.1, 96.3 and 95.3 %, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain M-8T was 47.0 mol%. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic data, strain M-8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Terrimonas , for which the name Terrimonas rubra sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M-8T ( = CCTCC AB 2010401T = KCTC 23299T). An emended description of the genus Terrimonas is also presented.

Two clinical strains, NF 296 and NF 931, present in our collection, were identified biochemically as members of CDC group II-i. Determination of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed highest similarity with strains of Sphingobacterium mizutaii . Because these strains produced indole, whereas S. mizutaii has been described as indole-negative, we also investigated the type strain and a reference strain of S. mizutaii , LMG 8340T ( = CCUG 15907T) and LMG 8341 ( = CCUG 15908), and found both strains also to be positive for indole production. These data warrant inclusion of some of the CDC group II-i strains into S. mizutaii and emended descriptions of Sphingobacterium mizutaii as indole-production-positive and of the genus Sphingobacterium as variable for indole production.

A bacterial strain, designated NS31-3T, was isolated from the wastewater of a paper mill. Cells of the isolate were obligately anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-motile, Gram-negative, short rods (0.7–1.0×1.4–2.5 µm). The isolate was able to grow on media containing 20 % bile salts. API 20A tests showed that acid was produced from glucose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, d-xylose, l-arabinose, cellobiose, d-mannose, d-melezitose, d-raffinose, d-trehalose, d-mannitol, salicin and d-sorbitol. The main fermentation products from PYG broth were lactic acid, propionic acid, formic acid and acetic acid. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and the predominant respiratory quinones were MK-9 and MK-10. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NS31-3T was related to members of genus Parabacteroides (91.2–93.2 % sequence similarity); the isolate had the closest affinity with Parabacteroides merdae JCM 9497T. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.2 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain NS31-3T represents a novel species of the genus Parabacteroides , for which the name Parabacteroides chartae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NS31-3T ( = JCM 17797T  = DSM 24967T).

A Gram-positive, obligately anaerobic, motile, slender, flexible rod, designated SC/BZ-SP2T, was isolated from mixed alkaline water and sediment of Soap Lake, Washington State, USA. Strain SC/BZ-SP2T formed salmon to pink colonies and was alkaliphilic. The isolate grew at pH35 °C 7.5–10.5 (optimum pH35 °C 9.7), at 8–40 °C (optimum 35–37 °C) and with 0.35–1.38 M Na+ (optimum 0.44–0.69 M Na+). The isolate utilized l-arabinose, d-ribose, d-xylose, d-fructose, d-mannose, d-galactose, cellobiose, maltose, sucrose, trehalose, sorbitol, xylan, malate and yeast extract as carbon and energy sources; best growth was observed with l-arabinose, cellobiose, maltose and trehalose. The major fermentation products from beechwood xylan were propionate and acetate. The dominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C17 : 0 3-OH and C15 : 0 3-OH. The cell-wall sugars were ribose, xylose, galactose and glucose. Thiosulfate and sulfite could be reduced to sulfide. The genomic DNA G+C content was 39.5±0.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SC/BZ-SP2T belonged to the family Marinilabiliaceae of the order Bacteroidales , class Bacteroidia . The most closely related strains were Alkaliflexus imshenetskii Z-7010T (91.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Marinilabilia salmonicolor Cy s1T (91.0 %) and Anaerophaga thermohalophila Fru22T (90.4 %). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic features, strain SC/BZ-SP2T represents a novel species in a new genus of the family Marinilabiliaceae , for which the name Alkalitalea saponilacus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Alkalitalea saponilacus is SC/BZ-SP2T ( = ATCC BAA-2172T  = DSM 24412T).

A novel Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-sporulating bacterium, designated strain K1T, was isolated from an estuarine water sample collected from Kochi, Kerala, India. Colonies on marine agar were circular, 2.0–2.5 mm in diameter, shiny, yellow, translucent and convex with entire margins. Strain K1T was negative for ornithine decarboxylase, lysine decarboxylase, nitrate reduction and H2S production. The fatty acids were dominated by iso-branched components with a high abundance of iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH; MK-6 (64 %) and MK-7 (34 %) were found as major respiratory quinones; and phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, four unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids were major polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain K1T was 46.1 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain K1T was related most closely to the type strain of Zhouia amylolytica (pairwise sequence similarity of 93.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain K1T formed a distinct branch within the family Flavobacteriaceae and clustered with the clade comprising species of the genera Zhouia , Coenonia and Capnocytophaga , being phylogenetically most closely related to the type strain of Zhouia amylolytica at a distance of 9.2 % (90.8 % similarity). Other species of the genera within the same clade were related to strain K1T at distances of 15.0–23.1 %. Based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and on phylogenetic inference, strain K1T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae , for which the name Imtechella halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Imtechella halotolerans is K1T ( = MTCC 11055T = JCM 17677T).

16S rRNA gene sequence information has indicated that Xylanibacter oryzae has a close relationship with the genus Prevotella . To clarify the taxonomic position of X. oryzae , we determined the sequence of hsp60 as it represents an alternative phylogenetic marker for identification and classification of Gram-negative anaerobic rods. On the basis of hsp60 sequences, X. oryzae was located within the genus Prevotella , indicating that the species does not represent a distinct taxon at the genus level. Statistical tests (the Shimodaira–Hasegawa test and the approximately unbiased test) supported the finding that X. oryzae is monophyletic with members of the genus Prevotella and thus belongs to the genus. On the basis of the phylogenetic findings, we propose that X. oryzae should be reclassified as Prevotella oryzae comb. nov.; the type strain is KB3T ( = JCM 13648T  = DSM 17970T). An emended description of the genus Prevotella is also provided.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, yellow bacterial strain, designated DS-12T, was isolated from hexachlorocyclohexane-contaminated soil in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Strain DS-12T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Flavobacterium ceti 454-2T (94.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DS-12T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium . Strain DS-12T produced flexirubin-type pigments. Gliding motility was not observed. The major fatty acids of strain DS-12T were iso-C15 : 0 (48.0 %), summed feature 9 (comprising iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl; 19.3 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (8.5 %) and summed feature 3 (comprising one or more of C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω6c and iso-C15 : 0 2-OH; 7.2 %). The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 and the major polyamine was homospermidine. Strain DS-12T contained phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown phospholipid and one unknown aminolipid. The DNA G+C content was 37.4 mol%. Phylogenetic inference and phenotypic properties indicated that strain DS-12T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium ummariense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DS-12T ( = CCM 7847T  = MTCC 10766T). An emended description of Flavobacterium ceti is also given.

An extremely thermophilic, anaerobic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium (strain S95T) was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney located on the Eastern Lau Spreading Center, Pacific Ocean, at a depth of 1910 m. Cells of strain S95T were oval to short Gram-negative rods, 0.5–0.6 µm in diameter and 1.0–1.5 µm in length, growing singly or in pairs. Cells were motile with a single polar flagellum. The temperature range for growth was 50–92 °C, with an optimum at 74 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.5–8.0, with an optimum at pH 7.0. Growth of strain S95T was observed at NaCl concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 % (w/v). Strain S95T grew anaerobically with elemental sulfur as an energy source and bicarbonate/CO2 as a carbon source. Elemental sulfur was disproportionated to sulfide and sulfate. Growth was enhanced in the presence of poorly crystalline iron(III) oxide (ferrihydrite) as a sulfide-scavenging agent. Strain S95T was also able to grow by disproportionation of thiosulfate and sulfite. Sulfate was not used as an electron acceptor. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate belongs to the phylum Thermodesulfobacteria . On the basis of its physiological properties and results of phylogenetic analyses, it is proposed that the isolate represents the sole species of a new genus, Thermosulfurimonas dismutans gen. nov., sp. nov.; S95T ( = DSM 24515T = VKM B-2683T) is the type strain of the type species. This is the first description of a thermophilic micro-organism that disproportionates elemental sulfur.

The morphology, infraciliature and molecular phylogeny of two marine ciliated protozoans, Diophrys blakeneyensis spec. nov. and Diophrys oligothrix Borror, 1965, isolated from British salt marshes, were investigated using microscopic observations of live and protargol-impregnated specimens, and by small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequence analysis. Diophrys blakeneyensis spec. nov. is characterized as follows: cell oval to rectangular in outline; size variable, approximately 60–180 × 30–80 µm in vivo; adoral zone comprising about 45 membranelles; usually five frontal, two ventral, five transverse, two left marginal and three caudal cirri; five dorsal kineties with more than 10 dikinetids each; 7–23 spherical to ellipsoid macronuclear nodules in a ring-like pattern; marine biotope. The population of Diophrys oligothrix described here corresponds well with previous populations in terms of its general morphology and ciliary pattern, in particular the continuous ciliary rows on the dorsal side with loosely arranged cilia. The main differences between the present and previously reported populations are the broader buccal field and greater number of dorsal kineties in the present population, both of which are regarded as population-dependent features. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data demonstrate that Diophrys blakeneyensis is most closely related to Diophrys oligothrix, and both organisms cluster with two congeners with high bootstrap support within a larger group that contain the core species of the Diophrys-complex. Cladistic analysis based on morphological and morphogenetic data broadly agree with the SSU rRNA gene sequence phylogeny. Both analyses suggest that the genus Diophrys may be polyphyletic.

Four basidiomycetous yeast strains (Y13-1T, Y2-1, Y6-3 and Y8-2) were isolated from soil and bark collected from an apple orchard in Tai’an, Shandong province, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 26S rRNA gene D1/D2 domains and ITS regions revealed that these novel strains were located in the Kwoniella clade in the class Tremellomycetes and were closely related to Cryptococcus cuniculi and Kwoniella heveanensis, but were clearly distinct from these species. Therefore, it is proposed that the new strains represent a novel species, Kwoniella shandongensis sp. nov., with the type strain Y13-1T( = CGMCC 2.04458T = CBS 12478T). The MycoBank number for the novel species is MB 564868.

Two novel species of Aspergillus that are clearly distinct from all known species in section Usti were revealed during a study of microfungal communities in Spanish caves. The novel species identified in this study and additional species of Aspergillus section Usti are associated with places and substrates related to human activities in caves. Novel species are described using data from four loci (ITS, benA, caM and rpb2), morphology and basic chemical and physiological analyses. Members of the species Aspergillus thesauricus sp. nov. were isolated from various substrates, including decaying organic matter, cave air and cave sediment of the Cueva del Tesoro Cave (the Treasure cave); the species is represented by twelve isolates and is most closely related to the recently described Aspergillus germanicus. Members of the species Aspergillus baeticus sp. nov. were isolated from cave sediment in the Gruta de las Maravillas Cave (the Grotto of the Marvels); the species is represented by two isolates. An additional isolate was found in the Cueva del Tesoro Cave and in the Demänovská Peace Cave (Slovakia), suggesting a potentially wide distribution of this micro-organism. The species is related to Aspergillus ustus and Aspergillus pseudoustus. Both species were unable to grow at 37 °C, and a weakly positive, light greenish yellow Ehrlich reaction was observed in A. thesauricus. Unique morphological features alone are sufficient to distinguish both species from related taxa.

Two strains (NT29T and NT31T) of xylose-assimilating yeasts were obtained from soils collected in northern Thailand. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer region, the two strains were found to represent two novel ascomycete yeast species. Strain NT29T was assigned to the genus Candida belonging to the Pichia clade as a representative of Candida phayaonensis sp. nov.; the type strain is NT29T ( = BCC 47634T = NBRC 108868T = CBS 12319T). Strain NT31T represented a novel Wickerhamomyces species, which was named Wickerhamomyces xylosica sp. nov.; the type strain is NT31T ( = BCC 47635T = NBRC 108869T = CBS 12320T).

Three strains representing a novel yeast species were recovered as part of independent collections from flower-associated nitidulid beetles in Australia, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene indicated that the species belongs to the genus Saccharomycopsis, although the formation of ascospores was not observed. The yeast is capable of necrotrophic parasitism by means of infection pegs when mixed with other yeasts or filamentous fungi. Of particular interest is the fact that despite the large distances separating the isolation sites of the three strains, other strains of the species have not been recovered in other samples of flower-associated nitidulids even though these habitats have been sampled extensively. It is suggested that the dispersal of the yeast may be linked to human historical factors. The name Saccharomycopsis fodiens sp. nov. is proposed for the yeast. The type strain is UWOPS 95-697.4T ( = CBS 8332T = NRRL Y-48786T).