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Comparative Genomics pp 29–46Cite as

Taxonomy and phylogenetic diversity among the yeasts

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Part of the book series: Topics in Current Genetics ((TCG,volume 15))

Abstract

Yeasts are among the economically and scientifically most important eukaryotic microorganisms known. At present, there are 1,500 recognized species, which are distributed between the ascomycetes and the basidiomycetes, but only a small fraction of these species have undergone extensive genetic analyses. In this chapter, we discuss application of molecular methods for identification of species and for their classification from phylogenetic analysis of gene sequences. The resulting phylogeny is considered in the context of comparative genomics and evolution, and provides a useful background for selection of additional species for whole genome sequencing as well as for new biotechnological applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbial Genomics and Bioprocessing Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois, USA

    Cletus P. Kurtzman

  2. BioCentrum-DTU, Technical University of Denmark and Cell and Organism Biology, University of Lund, Sweden

    Jure Piškur

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  1. Cletus P. Kurtzman
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  2. Jure Piškur
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Correspondence to Cletus P. Kurtzman .

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Per Sunnerhagen Jure Piskur

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Kurtzman, C.P., Piškur, J. Taxonomy and phylogenetic diversity among the yeasts. In: Sunnerhagen, P., Piskur, J. (eds) Comparative Genomics. Topics in Current Genetics, vol 15. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/b106654

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