On the biogeography of yeasts in the Wickerhamiella clade and description of Wickerhamiella lipophila sp nov., the teleomorph of Candida lipophila

We describe the new yeast species Wickerhamiella lipophila, the teleomorph of Candida lipophila, a haploid heterothallic yeast previously isolated fro m insects associated with morning glories in Hawaii. Both mating types were recovered in the eastern region of Maui, and a single strain was found in the Waimea region of Kauai. We reexamined the mating compatibility of the s everal strains of Candida lipophila previously collected on the island of H awaii and found them to be fertile mating types that had been overlooked be cause of the unpredictability of mating and ascus formation. The type cultu re of Candida lipophila [UWO(PS)91-681.3 = CBS 8458, h(+)] is transferred t o the genus Wickerhamiella, and strain UWO(PS)00-340.1 (CBS 8812, h(-)) is designated as isotype. Also found on Maui and Kauai were strains of Candida drosophilae that produced a strong extracellular protease. An update on th e global distribution of members of the Wickerhamiella clade is given.