New species of Fellomyces isolated from epiphytic lichen species

Five new species of Fellomyces, F. borneensis, F. chinensis, F. lichenicola, F. sichuanensis, and F. thailandicus isolated from lichens growing on tree barks are described. Species delimitation was performed using RAPD-PCR and partial sequencing of ribosomal DNA, A fragment of 385 nucleotides, corresponding to the gene position 547 through 931 of the 18S rDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used. Based on phylogenetic data it was not possible to separate the ballistosporous genus Kockovaella from the sterigma forming genus Fellomyces. Species reproduce by enteroblastic budding or by forming one or more conidia on sterigmata per cell. Sterigmatoconidia are delivered by an end break in distal position of the sterigmata. Ubiquinone Q-10 is the major ubiquinone component in all species. The presence of xylose in purified yeast cell walls was chracteristic for all strains investigated. it was not possible to separate the five different Fellomyces species by phenotypic criteria of the physiological standard characterization only.