Two new species of Papiliotrema (Rhynchogastremataceae, Tremellales) from China

Papiliotrema species are commonly found in different habitats and many of them are reported as epiphytic yeasts associated with plants. In this study, several yeast strains were isolated from the surface of plants collected in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou and Hainan. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS and LSU sequence data placed them in Papiliotrema.

Two new species, Papiliotrema millettiae sp. nov. (holotype CICC 33641) and P. mussaendae sp. nov. (holotype CICC 33595), are proposed on the basis of phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic characterisation.

Detailed descriptions of both species are provided, allowing clear differentiation from other known species in the genus Papiliotrema. In addition, P. fudaokuniae is considered a synonym of P. fusca, based on our phylogenetic analyses. This study contributes to a better understanding of species diversity within the genus Papiliotrema and provides a framework for future taxonomic research in the group.