Yeasts in mound soil of the red imported fire ant

Soil yeast occurrence and abundance was studied in brood chambers within mounds of: the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, and adjacent non-mound soil from Texas. Ten yeast species were isolated from fire ant brood chamber soil and 13 from non-mound soil. Relative frequencies of Candida parapsilosis and C, lipolytica were greater in brood chamber soil, and Cryptococcus terreus occurred more frequently in non-mound soil. Rhodoturula rubra, R. minuta, and Candida vini only occurred in non-mound soil. Mean cfu g(-1) of soil was greater in broad chamber soil. Fire ants alter the community composition and relative abundance of yeasts within mounds due to creation of unique microhabit at patches.