Cryptococcus taeanensis sp. nov., a new anamorphic basidiomycetous yeast isolated from a salt farm

Cryptococcus taeanensis, a new anamorphic yeast species originating from a salt farm on the Taean peninsula in Korea, is described. Strain 3-12(T) grew by budding, contained ubiquinone Q-10 and xylose in cell hydrolysates, utilized d-glucuronate and did not ferment D-glucose. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the large-subunit rRNA D1/D2 domain and ITS region sequences placed C. taeanensis near Auriculibuller fuscus and Bullera japonica, recently proposed taxa of the Tremellales. However, these species were distinguishable based on standard physiological tests used for yeast identification, with characteristics including the assimilation of L-sorbose, absence of ballistoconidia, no arbutin hydrolysis and no growth in the presence of 0.01 % cycloheximide. The isolate exhibited the typical physiology of the genus Cryptococcus Vuillemin, but its large-subunit rRNA D1/D2 domain sequence was clearly distinct from previously described species in the genus. Therefore, on the basis of these results, Cryptococcus taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is 3-12(T) (=KCTC 17149(T) = CBS 9742(T)).