SAITOELLA, A NEW ANAMORPH GENUS IN THE CRYPTOCOCCACEAE TO ACCOMMODATE TWO HIMALAYAN YEAST ISOLATES FORMERLY IDENTIFIED AS RHODOTORULA GLUTINIS

Abstract

A description and two illustrations are presented of a new anamorph genus, Saitoella, in the Cryptococcaceae represented by a single species S. complicata sp. nov. to accommodate two yeast strains isolated from Himalayan soil. These were formerly identified as Rhodotorula glutinis (Fres.) Harrison. This genus can be distinguished from Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Phaffia, Sterigmatomyces, Fellomyces, and Sporobolomyces by a combination of characters. Saitoella is considered to be ascomycetous in the light of a negative Diazonium Blue B (DBB) reaction and a cell wall ultrastructure typical of ascomycetous yeasts; there is probably a close relationship between Saitoella and Taphrinales on the basis of the formation of carotenoid pigments, the absence of xylose in the cells, the DNA base composition in the "grey zone, " a Q-10 uniquinone system, and a negative DBB reaction.