# Fonsecazyma yulaniae sp. nov., a yeast species isolated from flowers

## TL;DR

Scientists discovered a new yeast species, Fonsecazyma yulaniae, from flowers in Beijing and identified it through genetic and phenotypic analysis.

## Contribution

The discovery and characterization of a new yeast species, Fonsecazyma yulaniae, based on molecular and phenotypic data.

## Key findings

- Fonsecazyma yulaniae is a novel species within the genus Fonsecazyma, distinct from F. mujuensis.
- The new species can assimilate inulin and creatinine but not lactose or erythritol.
- F. yulaniae can grow in vitamin-free and 50% glucose media, unlike F. mujuensis.

## Abstract

Two basidiomycete yeast strains, designated as 21S12 and 12S11, were isolated from the flowers of Yulania denudata collected from the Beijing Olympic Forest Park, PR China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed that these strains represent a novel species within the genus Fonsecazyma. The new species, Fonsecazyma yulaniae sp. nov., is most closely related to Fonsecazyma mujuensis CBS 10308T, with sequence divergences of 4.3% (28 substitutions and 2 indels) in the D1/D2 domain and 8.4% (28 substitutions and 10 indels) in the ITS region. Phenotypically, F. yulaniae sp. nov. differs from F. mujuensis CBS 10308T in its ability to assimilate inulin and creatinine, as well as its inability to assimilate lactose and erythritol. Additionally, F. yulaniae sp. nov. can grow in a vitamin-free medium and in a medium supplemented with 50% glucose, conditions under which F. mujuensis cannot grow. The holotype of F. yulaniae sp. nov. is CGMCC2.5852T, and its taxonomic description has been registered in Fungal Names (FN572294) and in Mycobank (MBT10026390).