Cryptococcus is a genus of fungi in the family Cryptococcaceae that includes both yeasts and filamentous species. The filamentous, sexual forms or teleomorphs were formerly classified in the genus Filobasidiella, while Cryptococcus was reserved for the yeasts. Most yeast species formerly referred to Cryptococcus have now been placed in different genera. The name Cryptococcus comes from the Greek for "hidden sphere". Some Cryptococcus species cause a disease called cryptococcosis.
Astaxanthin is a keto-carotenoid within a group of chemical compounds known as terpenes. Astaxanthin is a metabolite of zeaxanthin and canthaxanthin, containing both hydroxyl and ketone functional groups. It is a lipid-soluble pigment with red coloring properties, which result from the extended chain of conjugated double bonds at the center of the compound. The presence of the hydroxyl functional groups and the hydrophobic hydrocarbons render the molecule amphiphilic.
The Cuniculitremaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. There are three genera in the family. Sterigmatosporidium polymorphum parasitizes other fungi growing in insect galleries in wood. It does not produce basidiocarps, but has septate basidia similar to those found in the genus Tremella. Most species are known only from their yeast states.
Tremella is a genus of fungi in the family Tremellaceae. All Tremella species are parasites of other fungi and most produce anamorphic yeast states. Basidiocarps, when produced, are gelatinous and are colloquially classed among the "jelly fungi". Over 100 species of Tremella are currently recognized worldwide. One species, Tremella fuciformis, is commercially cultivated for food.
Bulleribasidium is a genus of fungi in the family Bulleribasidiaceae. The genus currently contains some eleven species. The type species is a parasite of other fungi, its teleomorph having septate basidia and haustorial cells on its hyphae that connect to the host hyphae. Most species are, however, only known from their yeast states.
Papiliotrema is a genus of fungi in the family Rhynchogastremaceae. Filamentous states, where known, form septate basidia with haustorial cells indicating they are parasites of other fungi. Most species are currently known only from their yeast states. More than 20 species have been referred to Papiliotrema.
The Heterogastridiales are an order of fungi in the class Microbotryomycetes. The order contains a single family, the Heterogastridiaceae, which currently contains five genera. Some species in the order are currently known only from their yeast states. Those producing hyphal states have auricularioid basidia and are parasitic on other fungi. Basidiocarps, when present, are minute and variously stilboid (pin-shaped), pustular, or pycnidioid (flask-shaped). Molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, has shown that the order is a monophyletic (natural) group, though the type and only species of Krieglsteinera has not yet been sequenced and may belong elsewhere.
The Leucosporidiales are an order of fungi in the class Microbotryomycetes. The order contains a single family, the Leucosporidiaceae, which in turn contains a single genus, Leucosporidium. The order comprises fungi that are mostly known from their yeast states, though some produce hyphal states in culture that give rise to teliospores from which auricularioid basidia emerge.
Leucosporidium is a genus of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina. The genus comprises fungi that are mostly known from their yeast states, though some produce hyphal states in culture that give rise to teliospores from which auricularioid basidia emerge. Species known only from their anamorphic yeast states were formerly referred to the genus Leucosporidiella, but, following changes to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, the practice of giving different names to teleomorph and anamorph forms of the same fungus was discontinued, meaning that Leucosporidiella became a synonym of the earlier name Leucosporidium. Species have been isolated predominantly from cold environments and are regarded as psychrotolerant.
Phaeotremella is a genus of fungi in the family Phaeotremellaceae. All Phaeotremella species are parasites of other fungi and produce anamorphic yeast states. Basidiocarps, when produced, are gelatinous and are colloquially classed among the "jelly fungi". Fifteen or so species of Phaeotremella are currently recognized worldwide. Tremella sanguinea, shown to be a Phaeotremella species by DNA sequencing, is cultivated in China as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.
Cystofilobasidium is a genus of fungi in the family Cystofilobasidiaceae. Species occur as yeasts, but produce filamentous sexual states that form dikaryote teliospores, from which the unicellular basidia are formed. The hyphae usually have dolipore septa without a parenthesome, and their cell walls contain xylose. The genus currently contains nine species worldwide.
Naematelia is a genus of fungi in the family Naemateliaceae. All Naematelia species are parasites of other fungi and produce anamorphic yeast states. When produced, Basidiocarps ,, are gelatinous and are colloquially classed among the "jelly fungi."Four species of Naematelia are currently recognized worldwide. One species, Naematelia aurantialba, is commercially cultivated for food.
Pseudotremella is a genus of fungi in the family Bulleraceae. All Pseudotremella species are parasites of other fungi and produce anamorphic yeast states. Basidiocarps, when produced, are gelatinous and are colloquially classed among the "jelly fungi". Four species of Pseudotremella are currently recognized worldwide. Two of these species are, as yet, only known from their yeast states.
Solicoccozyma is a genus of fungi in the family Piskurozymaceae. Species have only been isolated in their yeast states, several of which were formerly referred to the genus Cryptococcus, but can produce filamentous states with basidia in culture. Nine species have been described worldwide.
Mrakia is a genus of fungi in the order Cystofilobasidiales. The genus comprises yeasts, some of which have a hyphal state forming teliospores from which basidia arise. Mrakia species are typically psychrophilic, many originally isolated from glaciers and frigid environments, and are capable of low-temperature fermentation, making them of potential interest in brewing and bioremediation.
Cystobasidium is a genus of fungi in the order Cystobasidiales. The type species is a fungal parasite forming small gelatinous basidiocarps on various ascomycetous fungi on dung. Microscopically, it has auricularioid basidia producing basidiospores that germinate by budding off yeast cells. Other species are known only from their yeast states. The yeasts Cystobasidium minutum and C. calyptogenae are rare but known human pathogens.
Cystobasidium fimetarium is a species of fungus in the order Cystobasidiales. It is a fungal parasite forming small gelatinous basidiocarps on various ascomycetous fungi on dung. Microscopically, it has auricularioid basidia producing basidiospores that germinate by budding off yeast cells. The species is known from Europe and North America.
Occultifur is a genus of fungi in the family Cystobasidiaceae. Species are parasites of other fungi and, microscopically, have auricularioid basidia and basidiospores that germinate by yeast cells. Several species are currently only known from their yeast states. The genus is distributed worldwide.
Kriegeria is a genus of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina. The genus is currently monotypic, containing the single species Kriegeria eriophori. The species is a plant pathogen, parasitic on sedges, and produces auricularioid basidia and basidiospores that germinate to form a yeast state.
Tremella yokohamensis is a species of fungus in the family Tremellaceae. It produces white, foliaceous, gelatinous basidiocarps and is parasitic on other fungi on dead wood of broad-leaved trees. It was originally described from Japan.
