Clavispora opuntiae and other yeasts associated with the mothSigelgaita sp. in the cactusPilosocereus arrabidae of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Clavispora opuntiae was the prevalent yeast associated with the feeding sites of Sigelgaita sp. larvae in the cactus Pilosocereus arrabidae. Also associated with this habitat were Candida sonorensis, Pichia cactophila, Pichia barkeri, Candida sp. A, Geotrichum sp., Geotrichum sericeum and the yeast like organisms Prototheca zopfii and Acremonium sp. Atypical yeast biotypes that may represent new species of Pichia, Sporopachydermia and Candida were isolated. Mating types of Clavispora opuntiae were at a ratio 70 h- to 3 h- and reduced levels of sporulation suggested low pressure for sexual reproduction in this habitat. Sigelgaita sp. probably was not an important vector for Clavispora opuntiae because it was not isolated from an adult or eggs of this moth.

The origin of the cactus-yeast community

“…5) with relatives living primarily in tree-£uxes but with a potential deeper root in rotting fruit. probably do not serve as yeast vectors, even though their larvae are found with C. opuntiae [19]. 3.…”

“…However, other cactus-associated moths (Sigelgaita sp.) probably do not serve as yeast vectors, even though their larvae are found with C. opuntiae [19]. Studies on related moths and their substrates ).…”

Ascomycetous yeasts from tropical intertidal dark mud of southeast Brazilian estuaries.

“…The weakly fermentative yeast-like Geotrichum spp. isolates represent the occurrence of a group of cosmopolitan yeasts included in polluted aquatic environments, soils, plants and insects (Hagler and Ahearn, 1987;Morais et al, 1992Morais et al, , 1995Phaff and Starmer, 1987;Robbs et al, 1989;Rosa et al, 1992Rosa et al, , 1994Rosa et al, , 1995Starmer et al, 1990).…”

Kodamaea nitidulidarum, Candida restingae and Kodamaea anthophila, three new related yeast species from ephemeral flowers

“…penetrate cactus stems, sometimes entering through flowers. This could explain the occurrence of K. nitidulidarum in association with the moth tunnels as well as the flowers (Rosa et al, 1992). An unidentified nitidulid beetle was the principal vector of this species among the flowers (Rosa et al, 1994).…”