Phylogenetic analysis of ascomycete yeasts that form coenzyme Q-9 and the proposal of the new genera Babjeviella, Meyerozyma, Millerozyma, Priceomyces, and Scheffersomyces

Abstract

Species assigned to the genera Debaryomyces, Lodderomyces, Spathaspora, and Yamadazyma, as well as selected species of Pichia and Candida that also form coenzyme Q-9, were phylogenetically analyzed from the combined sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit and the nearly complete small subunit rRNA genes. Species assigned to Debaryomyces partitioned into three clades and species assigned to Pichia were distributed among six clades. These well-supported clades were interpreted as genera, and from this analysis, the following new genera are proposed: Babjeviella, Meyerozyma, Millerozyma, Priceomyces, and Scheffersomyces. The genus Schwanniomyces was reinstated and emended, and the genus Yamadazyma was phylogenetically defined. From this study, 23 new combinations and 3 new ranks are proposed. The preceding genera are members of a single, large clade, and it is proposed to delineate this clade as the new family Debaryomycetaceae.