SIGNIFICANCE OF DNA BASE COMPOSITION IN THE CLASSIFICATION OF YEAST GENUS PICHIA

Abstract

The DNA base composition (GC content) of 53 cultures of Pichia and supposed related yeasts, which represented 35 species and a variety, was investigated. The GC content of Pichia ranged from 28.3 to 50.2%, and intrageneric variation was about 22%. Any prominent subgroups could not be detected within the genus and this genus was supposed to be very heterogeneous from the taxonomic points of view.