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Title: On the reclassification of species assigned to Candida and other anamorphic ascomycetous yeast genera based on phylogenetic circumscription

Author
item DANIEL, HEIDE-MARIE - Catholic University Of Leuven
item LACHANCE, MARC-ANDRE - University Of Western Ontario
item Kurtzman, Cletus

Submitted to: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/2014
Publication Date: 7/1/2014
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/60357
Citation: Daniel, H., Lachance, M., Kurtzman, C.P. 2014. On the reclassification of species assigned to Candida and other anamorphic ascomycetous yeast genera based on phylogenetic circumscription. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 106(1):67-84.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Multigene phylogenies have been instrumental in revising the classification of ascosporic (teleomorph) yeasts in a natural system based on lines of decent. Although many taxonomic changes have already been implemented for teleomorph taxa, this is not yet the case for the large genus Candida and smaller anascosporic (anamorph) genera. In view of the recently introduced requirement that a fungal species or higher taxon be assigned only a single valid name under the new International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code), the current species of Candida and other anamorph yeast genera must undergo revision to make genus membership consistent with phylogenetic affinities. A review of existing data and analyses shows that certain Candida species may be assigned to teleomorph genera with high confidence using multigene phylogenies. Candida species that form well-circumscribed phylogenetic clades without any teleomorph member justify the creation of new genera. However, a considerable number of Candida species sit at the end of isolated and often long branches, and hence cannot be assigned to larger species groups. They should be maintained in Candida sensu lato until studied by multigene analyses in datasets with comprehensive taxon sampling. The principle of name stability has to be honoured to the largest extent compatible with a natural classification of Candida species.