Molecular identification of yeasts from soils of the alluvial forest national park along the river Danube downstream of Vienna, Austria (Nationalpark Donauauen)

We analysed the diversity of yeasts from different soils in a river-floodplain Landscape at the river Danube downstream of Vienna, Austria (Nationalpark Donauauen). 136 strains were isolated, identification of species was done with molecular methods. Partial sequencing of the 26S rRNA gene resulted in 36 different sequences, they could be assigned to 16 genera, apart from two sequence types (from three isolates), which were not clearly assigned to any genus. 18 species were identified and confirmed by means of PCR fingerprinting. The most frequently isolated genus was Cryptococcus (61 isolates and 12 sequence types). Basidiomycetes dominated with about 60% above the members of the Ascomycetes. About half the yeasts was isolated from the titter, the quantity decreased with soil depth. (C) 2004 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.