Saccharomycomorpha is a genus of non-flagellated protists with a rare yeast-like appearance, containing the single species Saccharomycomorpha psychra. It is the only genus of the family Saccharomycomorphidae, within the cercozoan order Glissomonadida.[1] Before its description in 2021 it was known as clade T, recovered from environmental DNA in previous phylogenetic analyses.[2]

Saccharomycomorpha
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Phylum: Cercozoa
Class: Sarcomonadea
Order: Glissomonadida
Family: Saccharomycomorphidae
Feng, He, Jiang, Zhang & Yu, 2021
Genus: Saccharomycomorpha
Feng, He, Jiang, Zhang & Yu, 2021
Species:
S. psychra
Binomial name
Saccharomycomorpha psychra
Feng, He, Jiang, Zhang & Yu, 2021[1]
Type strain
CPCC 300049

Morphology and behavior

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Saccharomycomorpha psychra is a unicellular protist composed of round unflagellated cells, which is a unique morphological characteristic among Glissomonadida. It is able to withstand temperatures of 4 °C and its optimal growth is mainly 20 °C, making it a psychrophilic organism.[1]

Ecology

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The species was isolated from lichen and moss found in both the Arctic (Svalbard) and maritime Antarctica (King George Island), respectively. These areas have a flora mainly consisting of lichens and mosses. Although glissomonads are mainly bacterivorous, Saccharomycomorpha is perhaps an osmotrophic or parasitic species, since it is able to grow in a culture medium without the presence of bacteria.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Feng, Jian-Ju; He, Chen-Yang; Jiang, Shu-Hua; Zhang, Tao; Yu, Li-Yan (2021). "Saccharomycomorpha psychra n. g., n. sp., a Novel Member of Glissmonadida (Cercozoa) Isolated from Arctic and Antarctica". Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 68 (3). doi:10.1111/jeu.12840.
  2. ^ Howe AT, Bass D, Vickerman K, Chao EE, Cavalier-Smith T (2009). "Phylogeny, Taxonomy, and Astounding Genetic Diversity of Glissomonadida ord. nov., The Dominant Gliding Zooflagellates in Soil (Protozoa: Cercozoa)". Protist. 160 (2): 159–189. doi:10.1016/j.protis.2008.11.007. ISSN 1434-4610.