Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The first yeast originated hundreds of millions of years ago, and at least 1,500 species are currently recognized. They are estimated to constitute 1% of all described fungal species.
Basidiomycota is one of two large divisions that, together with the Ascomycota, constitute the subkingdom Dikarya within the kingdom Fungi. Members are known as basidiomycetes. More specifically, Basidiomycota includes these groups: agarics, puffballs, stinkhorns, bracket fungi, other polypores, jelly fungi, boletes, chanterelles, earth stars, smuts, bunts, rusts, mirror yeasts, and Cryptococcus, the human pathogenic yeast.
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.
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast belonging to the class Tremellomycetes and an obligate aerobe that can live in both plants and animals. Its teleomorph is a filamentous fungus, formerly referred to Filobasidiella neoformans. In its yeast state, it is often found in bird excrement. Cryptococcus neoformans can cause disease in apparently immunocompetent, as well as immunocompromised, hosts.
The Tremellomycetes are a class of dimorphic fungi in the Agaricomycotina. Some species have gelatinous basidiocarps or (microscopically) a sacculate parenthesome. There are six orders, 17 families, and 39 genera in the Tremellomycetes. Tremellomycetes include yeasts, dimorphic taxa, and species that form complex fruiting bodies. Tremellomycetes include some fungi that are human and animal pathogens in the genera Cryptococcus, Naganishia, Papiliotrema, and Trichosporon and some fungi that are cultivated for food in the genera Tremella and Naematelia.
Pathogenic fungi are fungi that cause disease in humans or other organisms. Although fungi are eukaryotic, many pathogenic fungi are microorganisms. Approximately 300 fungi are known to be pathogenic to humans; their study is called "medical mycology". Fungal infections kill more people than either tuberculosis or malaria—about 2 million people per year.
The Tremellales are an order of fungi in the class Tremellomycetes. The order contains both teleomorphic and anamorphic species, most of the latter being yeasts. All teleomorphic species in the Tremellales are parasites of other fungi, though the yeast states are widespread and not restricted to hosts. Basidiocarps, when produced, are gelatinous.
Herman Jan Phaff was a scientist who specialised in yeast ecology. He was born in the Netherlands before moving to California at age of 26. He was active in Californian universities until his death. During his career he accumulated thousands of strains of yeast from the wild, and described 60 new taxa of yeast.
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.
C. phenolicus may refer to:
Ustilagic acid is an organic compound with the formula C36H64O18. The acid is a cellobiose lipid produced by the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis under conditions of nitrogen starvation. The acid was discovered in 1950 and was proved to be an amphipathic glycolipid with surface active properties. The name comes from Latin ustus which means burnt and refers to the scorched appearance of the smut fungi.
Phaeotremella foliacea is a species of fungus in the family Phaeotremellaceae. It produces brownish, frondose, gelatinous basidiocarps and is parasitic on the mycelium of Stereum sanguinolentum, a fungus that grows on dead attached and recently fallen branches of conifers. It is widespread in north temperate regions. In the UK it has the recommended English name leafy brain and has also been called jelly leaf and brown witch's butter. Prior to 2017, the name Tremella foliacea was also applied to similar-looking species on broadleaf trees, now distinguished as Phaeotremella frondosa and Phaeotremella fimbriata.
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.
Naganishia adeliensis is a species of fungus in the family Filobasidiaceae. It is currently only known from its yeast state, isolated from decaying algae in Antarctica.
Naganishia albidosimilis is a species of fungus in the family Filobasidiaceae. It is currently only known from its yeast state, isolated from soil in Antarctica.
Naganishia albida is a species of fungus in the family Filobasidiaceae. It is currently only known from its yeast state. The species was originally isolated from the air in Japan, and has subsequently been isolated from dry moss in Portugal, grasshoppers in Portugal, and tubercular lungs.
Solicoccozyma aeria is a species of fungus in the family Piskurozymaceae. It has only been found in its yeast state, though a filamentous state producing basidia may be formed in culture.
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.
Papiliotrema laurentii is a species of fungus in the family Rhynchogastremaceae. It is typically isolated in its yeast state.
Solicoccozyma terrea is a species of fungus in the family Piskurozymaceae. It is only known from its yeast state. In this state, it can use glucose, lactose, galactose and potassium nitrate. The cells are oval with mucous capsules. Cultures of the yeast are cream at first, becoming tan with a “tough” surface skin. No mycelium is present.
