Blastobotrys is a genus of yeasts that primarily reproduce asexually; however, it also encompasses sexual species that were formerly classified within the genus Trichomonascus. Blastobotrys species are known for their diverse origin as they can be found in numerous locations worldwide and on various types of substrates. During a series of independent sampling events in Belgium, Bulgaria, and France, a set of strains were newly isolated from basidiomes, decaying wood, and insects. As a result of this research, seven novel species were identified and described, including previously deposited strains from the CBS collection. This was done by means of a combination of phylogenetic analysis, using the ITS regions and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, and physiological characteristics. Additionally, based on phylogenetic data generated during this study and phylogenomic analyses available from published data, three new combinations of species previously included in Trichomonascus are also proposed. Furthermore, using the data from metabarcoding studies included in the GlobalFungi database and those known from Blastobotrys strains available from the CBS yeast collection, the currently known distribution and substrate range of Blastobotrys strains are discussed.
Groenewald et al. (Thu,) studied this question.