Wickerhamomyces patagonicus sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species from Patagonia, Argentina

Eight strains of a novel yeast species were isolated from tree saps of 'Coihue' (Nothofagus dombeyi, Nothofagaceae) and glacial meltwater (Castano Overo River) in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, Patagonia, Argentina. The sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit of the rRNA gene showed that this novel yeast species belongs to the Wickerhamomyces genus (Order Saccharomycetales, Family Wickerhamomycetaceae). The closest related species were Candida ponderosae and Wickerhamomyces chambardii. Wickerhamomyces patagonicus sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these novel strains, with the type strain CRUB 1724 T (5CBS 11398 T 5JCM 16381 T ). The diversity of ascomycetous yeasts in pristine environ- ments, such as those found in the Nahuel Huapi National Park (NHNP) in north-western Patagonia (Argentina), has