Analysis of yeast isolates related to Metschnikowia pulcherrima using the partial sequences of the large subunit rDNA and the actin gene; description of Metschnikowia andauensis sp. nov.

Thirty-two yeast isolates were cultured from guts or excrements of three different pests of corn or from the stem of healthy corn. The strains were analyzed using MSP-PCR (micro/minisatellite-primed polymerase chain reaction), sequences of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit rDNA and a 979 bp long part of the actin gene (act-1). They seem to belong to three groups that are all sister groups of Metschnikowia pulcherrima, M. fructicola and M. chrysoperlae. A new species, Metschnikowia andauensis (HA 1657T) is described. In contrast to M. pulcherrima and M. fructicola, M. andauensis is well separated in the act-1 phylogenetic tree too.