Hannaella floricola sp. nov., a novel basidiomycetous yeast species isolated from a flower of Lantana camara in Portugal

During a survey of floricolous yeasts in Portugal, a basidiomycetous yeast representing a novel species in the genus Hannaella was isolated in Portugal from the flower of Lantana camara, an ornamental exotic species native to Central and South America. A combination of phylogenetic analyses of DNA barcode sequences used in yeast molecular systematics, namely the D1/D2 domain and the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region supported the recognition of a new species of Hannaella, that we designate Hannaella floricola sp. nov. (ex -type strain PYCC 9191T=CBS 18097T). Although the assignment of the new species to the genus Hannaella was evident, the detection of its closest relatives appeared more problematic. Nevertheless, our analy-ses suggested that H. floricola sp. nov. belongs a clade that also includes H. coprosmae, H. oryzae and H. surugaensis, together four candidate novel species. In addition we provide the molecular identification of several unidentified strains whose D1/D2 and ITS sequences are available from GenBank.

Automated summary

During a survey of floricolous yeasts in Portugal, a novel species of the basidiomycetous yeast genus Hannaella was discovered in the flower of an ornamental exotic plant Lantana camara, which is native to Central and South America. Molecular analyses of DNA barcode sequences confirmed the new species, which was named Hannaella floricola sp. nov. It also revealed its close relationship with other species in the genus Hannaella.