Da Vinci's yeast: Blastobotrys davincii f.a., sp. nov. Issue 1 (21st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Visagie, Cobus M.; Boekhout, Teun; Theelen, Bart; Dijksterhuis, Jan; Yilmaz, Neriman; Seifert, Keith A.
• Is Part Of: Yeast. Volume 40:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2022-12-21
• Subjects: Arxula -- nomenclature -- phylogeny -- Sporothrix -- taxonomy -- xerophilic fungi; Yeast -- Periodicals; Yeasts -- Periodicals; Yeasts -- genetics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547
• DOI: 10.1002/yea.3816
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0749-503X

Abstract

Abstract: A new species of the yeast genus Blastobotrys was discovered during a worldwide survey of culturable xerophilic fungi in house dust. Several culture‐dependent and independent studies from around the world detected the same species from a wide range of substrates including indoor air, cave wall paintings, bats, mummies, and the iconic self‐portrait of Leonardo da Vinci from ca 1512. However, none of these studies identified their strains, clones, or OTUs as Blastobotrys . We introduce the new species as Blastobotrys davincii f.a., sp. nov. (holotype CBS H‐24879) and delineate it from other species using morphological, phylogenetic, and physiological characters. The new species of asexually (anamorphic) budding yeast is classified in Trichomonascaceae and forms a clade along with its associated sexual state genus Trichomonascus . Despite the decade‐old requirement to use a single generic name for fungi, both names are still used. Selection of the preferred name awaits a formal nomenclatural proposal. We present arguments for adopting Blastobotrys over Trichomonascus and introduce four new combinations as Blastobotrys allociferrii (≡ Candida allociferrii ), B. fungorum (≡ Sporothrix fungorum ), B. mucifer (≡ Candida mucifera ), and Blastobotrys vanleenenianus (≡ Trichomonascus vanleenenianus ). We provide a nomenclatural review and an accepted species list for the 37 accepted species in the Blastobotrys/Trichomonascus clade. Finally, we discuss the identity of the DNA clones detected on the da Vinci portrait, and the importance of using appropriate media to isolate xerophilic or halophilic fungi. Abstract : Several surveys from around the world reported the same yeast species from a wide range of substrates, most notably from the iconic self‐portrait of Leonardo da Vinci. None of these studiesidentified their strains, clones, or OTUs as Blastobotrys . Here we describe this as a new species and name it Blastobotrys davincii . Take‐away: Blastobotrys davincii is introduced as a new species. Surveys have detected this species, but could never correctly identify or name it. The species was found on the da Vinci portrait, mummies and other substrates. A nomenclature review and an accepted species list for the Blastobotrys/Trichomonascus clade is provided. Appropriate isolation media are important to allow for growth of specific fungi.