Candida ipomoeae, a new yeast species related to large-spored Metschnikowia species.

Numerous strains of an unusual asexual yeast species were isolated from flowers of morning glory (Ipomoea spp., Convolvulaceae) and associated drosophilids and sap beetles of the genus Conotelus sampled in Hawaii and in Brazil. The nutritional profile of this yeast is similar to those of Metschnikowia hawaiiensis and Metschnikowia continentalis, which share the same habitats. The cells are large, hydrophobic, and tend to remain attached after budding, causing the colonies on agar media to have a convoluted appearance, reminiscent of popcorn. The sequences of the D1/D2 domain of large subunit rDNAs of strains from three different localities confirmed that a single species is involved, and that it is related to large-spored Metschnikowia species. The type strain is UWO(PS)91-672.1 (CBS 8466).