The diversity and phylogeny of phylloplane yeasts on Banksia integrifolia in south-eastern Queensalnd

The diversity and phylogeny of phylloplane yeasts on Banksia integrifolia in south-eastern Queensalnd

Phylloplane yeasts are an important part of microbial communities in tropical and temperate regions. In Australia, the diversity of phylloplane yeasts on crops and indigenous plant species has received little attention. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify phylloplane yeasts from Banksia integrifolia in south-eastern Queensland. This study showed that leaves of B. integrifolia harboured a high diversity of yeasts, including putatively novel species in Bannoa, Hannaella and Vishniacozyma. Further, several phylloplane yeast species found on B. integrifolia in south-eastern Queensland had not been previously reported from Australia.

Banksia integrifolia is an iconic native Australian tree, which is widespread throughout coastal heathlands from Tasmania to southern Queensland. Leaves of B. integrifolia at different canopy heights were collected from undisturbed ecosystems at three locations in south-eastern Queensland. Phylloplane yeasts were isolated, cultured and preserved for morphological, physiological and molecular examination. DNA of the yeast was extracted, amplified and their sequences analysed by comparison with the sequences of reference isolates in GenBank.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that most of the yeasts belonged to basidiomycetous genera, especially Bannoa, Hannaella and Vishniacozyma. Five putative novel species were identified from Bannoa, Hannaella, and Vishniacozyma. This study shows that B. integrifolia has a rich diversity of phylloplane yeast species, including some that are apparently endemic to Australia.

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