Fellomyces mexicanus sp. nov., a new member of the yeast genus Fellomyces isolated from lichen Cryptothecia rubrocincta collected in Mexico

Two strains isolated from the lichen Cryptothecia rubrocincta collected in Mexico are described as new members of the sterigmatoconidia-producing genus Fellomyces. Based on the identical sequences of the D1/D2 regions of 26S rDNA, as well as the results of the cluster analysis of the AFLP fingerprints, the strains have been shown to be conspecific. The 26S rDNA-based phylogeny has indicated that Fellomyces mexicanus clusters within a clade including species such as four other Fellomyces isolates from lichens: F. chinensis, F. lichenicola, F. sichuanensis and F. thailandicus. F. mexicanus is characterised by the presence of xylose in the cell walls and CoQ10 in the mitochondrial membrane. The type culture is strain HB25=CBS8279.