Four yeast strains (RIFY 10001T, RIFY 10002, RIFY 10003, and RIFY 10004) were isolated from flowers growing in fields of mustard and broad beans in Japan. Ascospore formation was not observed. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA) gene of the four strains indicated that they belong to the genus Metschnikowia and are closely related to Metschnikowia hawaiiana strain CBS 9146T and Metschnikowia orientalis strain CBS 10331T. The D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer regions of strain RIFY 10001T were 85.7% identical to those of M. hawaiiana strain CBS 9146T. All four strains were distinguished from the M. hawaiiana strain CBS 9146T by their inability to ferment glucose. Hence, these four strains are novel species and were named as Metschnikowia miensis (holotype: RIFY 10001T; isotypes: NBRC 112445T = CBS 14749T).
Keywords: Ascomycetes yeast; Flower; Japan; Metschnikowia miensis sp. nov.; New yeast species; Taxonomy.