Metschnikowia hawaiiensis sp. nov., a heterothallic haploid yeast from Hawaiian morning glory and associated drosophilids

Abstract

A new haploid, heterothallic yeast species was isolated repeatedly from morning glory (Ipomoea acuminata) flowers and from two associated drosophilid species, Scaptomyza calliginosa and Drosophila floricola, in a Hawaiian kipuka. Haploid strains of this organism multiply asexually by budding and, under nutrient deprivation, by the formation of long germ tubes that develop into branching true mycelia. Mating compatibility is controlled by two alleles of a single locus. Plasmogamy between compatible strains is followed by the development of very large elongate asci bearing vestiges of the zygotes and the formation in each ascus of two unusually large aciculate ascospores similar to those formed by members of the genus Metschnikowia. Membership in the genus Metschnikowia is supported by the physiological profile of the yeast, which is typical of the genus but not identical to the profile of any previously described species. The name Metschnikowia hawaiiensis is proposed to emphasize the geographic origin of the new species, not its habitat, which has not been determined precisely. The holotype strain of M. hawaiiensis is strain UWO(PS) 87-2167.2 (= ATCC 76059 = CBS 7432), and the isotype strain is strain UWO(PS) 87-2203.2 (= ATCC 76058 = CBS 7433).