Evaluation of phylogenetic relationships among fission yeast by nDNA/nDNA reassociation and conventional taxonomic criteria.

The genus Schizosaccharomyces comprises a small, somewhat heterogeneous group of yeast species which have in common a unique mode of vegetative reproduction by cross-wall formation without constriction as well as a certain degree of osmophilia, most strains having been isolated from habitats of high sugar concentration. This study evaluated inter- and intraspecific relationships utilizing nDNA/nDNA optical reassociation and by the analysis of physiological profiles of several strains of each species. Results demonstrate that the genus should be divided into three species: Schiz. japonicus, Schiz. octosporus and Schiz. pombe.