Phaffia, a New Yeast Genus in the Deuteromycotina (Blastomycetes)

Abstract

A description is given of a new yeast genus, Phaffia, represented by P. rhodozyma sp. nov., to accomodate nine yeast strains isolated in Japan and one in Alaska, all from exudates of deciduous trees. The type strain of P. rhodozyma is UCD (FS&T) 67-210 (= ATCC 24202 = CBS 5905). Phaffia, named in recognition of the contributions of Herman Jan Phaff to yeast taxonomy and ecology, is a carotenoid-producing, fermentative yeast of the Deuteromycotina (Blastomycetes), whose properties indicate a basidiomycetous origin. A comparison is made between Phaffia and other yeast genera to which it might be related.