Description of four and two species isolated from guano samples from bat-inhabited caves in Japan.

Four new yeast species belonging to the genus and two new yeast species belonging to are described for strains isolated from guano samples from bat-inhabited caves in Japan. In 2005, we reported these isolates as species based on sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of large subunit (LSU) rRNA genes according to available basidiomycetous yeast classification criteria; however, to date, they have not been officially published as new species with descriptions. Their phylogenetic positions have been reanalysed based on comparison of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences (including the 5.8S rRNA gene) and the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene with those of known species; we confirmed clear separation from previously described species. Physiological and biochemical properties of the isolates also suggest their distinctiveness. Therefore, we describe (holotype JCM 12595), (JCM 12594), (JCM 12596), (JCM 12593), (JCM 12590) and (JCM 12592) as new species. showed particularly distinctive morphology including large inflated anomalous cells on the hyphae and germination from the cells, although clear clamp connections on the hyphae were not confirmed. Further study is needed to elucidate the morph of this species.