Figure 2. Differential interference contrast micrograph of
budding cells of Nakazawaea atacamensis sp. nov. Micrograph of
budding cells grown in YPD broth after 3 days at 25°C. Bars: 5
μm. This image was obtained using differential interference contrast
(DIC) microscopy.
The novel species N. atacamensis exhibits distinctive phenotypic
characteristics compared to other species within the genusNakazawaea , as outlined in Table S2 . N. siamensisand N. odontotermitis only ferment D-glucose, whereas N.
atacamensis ferments both D-glucose and sucrose (Tiwari et al. ,
2022). One notable difference is the ability of N. atacamensis to
assimilate trehalose, while it cannot metabolize inulin and soluble
starch. In contrast, N. siamensis , is capable of assimilating
both inulin and soluble starch. N. odontotermitis can assimilate
D-glucosamine, as well as nitrate and nitrite, whereas N.
atacamensis does not possess these capabilities. These phenotypic
variations highlight the distinct metabolic characteristics of N.
atacamensis when compared to other Nakazawaea species,
emphasizing its unique physiological profile within the genus.
Nakazawaea is a genus of ascomycetous yeasts belonging to the
class Pichiomycetes, order Alaninales, and family Pachysolenaceae
(Groenewald et al. , 2023). Currently, Mycobank lists 15 valid
species within the genus Nakazawaea . These yeasts have been
isolated from diverse habitats, with a predominant association with
plant materials such as apples, grapes, and fermented grape musts. They
have also been found in sugar cane leaves, decayed wood, and in
association with wood-feeding insects like beetles (Yamada et
al. , 1994, Kurtzman, 2001, Kurtzman, 2011, Kurtzman & Robnett, 2014,
Polburee et al. , 2017, Crous et al. , 2019, Tiwari et
al. , 2022). The diversity of Nakazawaea species reflects their
ability to thrive in different environments and highlights their
importance in various ecological contexts. Their occurrence in plant
materials and wood-associated habitats underscores their potential
ecological and industrial significance, including their potential
involvement in the production of fermented foods and beverages. Recent
yeast surveys in mushrooms in China and termites extended the repertoire
of species in the genus Nakazawaea (Tiwari et al. , 2022)
indicating a wide habitat for Nakazawaea species. In the present
study, three strains of a novel species N. atacamensis were
isolated from the bark and bark-exuded gum of the Neltuma
chilensis in the Atacama Desert, San Pedro, Chile.