Novel Metschnikowia yeasts from the gut of green lacewing in Japan

Family Chrysopidae is known to harbor specific gut yeasts. However, no studies have been conducted outside of a limited number of these green lacewing species, and the diversity of yeasts in the family as a whole is not known. Therefore, we collected 58 Chrysopidae adults (9 species, 6 genera, 2 subfamilies) in Japan and isolated yeasts from all individuals. The results showed for the first time that not only subfamily Chrysopinae but also subfamily Apochrysinae have gut yeasts. We obtained 58 yeast isolates (one from each host individual), all of which were of the genus Metschnikowia. 28S rDNA- and ITS-based phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates were divided into three clades, designated clade I, II, and III. Clade I contains two previously described Chrysopidae gut yeasts (M. picachoensis and M. pimensis) as well as a one of our new species named M. shishimaru. Clade II is a new clade, with at least two new species named M. kenjo and M. seizan. Clade III contains the previously described species M. noctiluminum, a Chrysopidae gut yeast, and one of our isolate (We have not described it as new species). However, the phylogenetic relationship between our isolate and M. noctiluminum was unclear. These results indicate that the Japanese Chrysopidae gut yeasts consist mainly of three undescribed species and that they are more unique than those found in previous surveys. The results of this study indicate that Chrysopidae gut yeasts are more diverse than previously thought and should be investigated in various geographical regions in the future. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10482-023-01887-0.