Sporobolomyces lactucae sp. nov. (Pucciniomycotina, Microbotryomycetes, Sporidiobolales): An Abundant Component of Romaine Lettuce Phylloplanes

Shifts in food microbiomes may impact the establishment of human pathogens, such as virulent lineages of Escherichia coli, and thus are important to investigate. Foods that are often consumed raw, such as lettuce, are particularly susceptible to such outbreaks. We have previously found that an undescribed Sporobolomyces yeast is an abundant component of the mycobiome of commercial romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Here, we formally describe this species as Sporobolomyces lactucae sp. nov. (Pucciniomycotina, Microbotryomycetes, and Sporidiobolales). We isolated multiple strains of this yeast from commercial romaine lettuce purchased from supermarkets in Illinois and Indiana; additional isolates were obtained from various plant phylloplanes in California. S. lactucae is a red-pigmented species that is similar in appearance to other members of the genus Sporobolomyces. However, it can be differentiated by its ability to assimilate glucuronate and D-glucosamine. Gene genealogical concordance supports S. lactucae as a new species. The phylogenetic reconstruction of a four-locus dataset, comprising the internal transcribed spacer and large ribosomal subunit D1/D2 domain of the ribosomal RNA gene, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and cytochrome B, places S. lactucae as a sister to the S. roseus clade. Sporobolomyces lactucae is one of the most common fungi in the lettuce microbiome.

Automated summary

Shifts in food microbiomes can affect the development of human pathogens, such as dangerous strains of Escherichia coli. Lettuce, which is often consumed raw, is particularly susceptible to such outbreaks. A newly described species of yeast, Sporobolomyces lactucae, has been found to be abundant in commercial romaine lettuce. It is similar in appearance to other Sporobolomyces species but can be differentiated by its ability to assimilate glucuronate and D-glucosamine. Sporobolomyces lactucae is one of the most common fungi in the lettuce microbiome.