Cryptococcus is a genus of fungi in the family Cryptococcaceae that includes both yeasts and filamentous species. The filamentous, sexual forms or teleomorphs were formerly classified in the genus Filobasidiella, while Cryptococcus was reserved for the yeasts. Most yeast species formerly referred to Cryptococcus have now been placed in different genera. The name Cryptococcus comes from the Greek for "hidden sphere". Some Cryptococcus species cause a disease called cryptococcosis.
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast belonging to the class Tremellomycetes and an obligate aerobe that can live in both plants and animals. Its teleomorph is a filamentous fungus, formerly referred to Filobasidiella neoformans. In its yeast state, it is often found in bird excrement. Cryptococcus neoformans can cause disease in apparently immunocompetent, as well as immunocompromised, hosts.
Malassezia is a genus of fungi. It is the sole genus in family Malasseziaceae, which is the only family in order Malasseziales, itself the single member of class Malasseziomycetes. Malassezia species are naturally found on the skin surfaces of many animals, including humans. In occasional opportunistic infections, some species can cause hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation on the trunk and other locations in humans. Allergy tests for these fungi are available.
The Tremellomycetes are a class of dimorphic fungi in the Agaricomycotina. Some species have gelatinous basidiocarps or (microscopically) a sacculate parenthesome. There are six orders, 17 families, and 39 genera in the Tremellomycetes. Tremellomycetes include yeasts, dimorphic taxa, and species that form complex fruiting bodies. Tremellomycetes include some fungi that are human and animal pathogens in the genera Cryptococcus, Naganishia, Papiliotrema, and Trichosporon and some fungi that are cultivated for food in the genera Tremella and Naematelia.
Moniliella is a genus of fungi in the subdivision Ustilaginomycotina. It is in the monotypic family MoniliellaceaeQ.M. Wang, F.Y. Bai & Boekhout, which is in the monotypic order MoniliellalesQ.M. Wang, F.Y. Bai & Boekhout which is in the monotypic class MoniliellomycetesQ.M. Wang, F.Y. Bai & Boekhout.
The Agaricostilbomycetes are a class of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina of the Basidiomycota. The class consists of a single order, six families, and 15 genera. Most species are known only from their yeast states. Where known, basidiocarps (fruitbodies) are typically small and stilboid (pin-shaped).
The Microbotryomycetes are a class of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina of the Basidiomycota. The class currently contains eight orders, plus three additional, unassigned families, plus seven additional, unassigned genera. Many species are known only from their yeast states. Species with hyphal states typically produce auricularioid basidia and are often parasitic on other fungi or plants. Several species in the genera Rhodotorula and Sporobolomyces are opportunistic human pathogens.
The Leucosporidiales are an order of fungi in the class Microbotryomycetes. The order contains a single family, the Leucosporidiaceae, which in turn contains a single genus, Leucosporidium. The order comprises fungi that are mostly known from their yeast states, though some produce hyphal states in culture that give rise to teliospores from which auricularioid basidia emerge.
The Sporidiobolales are an order of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina. The order contains a single family, the Sporidiobolaceae, which currently contains three genera. Most species are known only from their yeast states. Hyphal states produce teliospores from which auricularioid basidia emerge, bearing basidiospores. Species occur worldwide and have been isolated from a wide variety of substrates. Two species, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and R. glutinis, have been known to cause disease in humans.
Sporobolomyces is a genus of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina. Species produce both yeast states and hyphal states. The latter form teliospores from which auricularioid (tubular and laterally septate) basidia emerge, bearing basidiospores. Yeast colonies are salmon-pink to red. Sporobolomyces species occur worldwide and have been isolated (as yeasts) from a wide variety of substrates. They produce ballistoconidia that are bilaterally symmetrical, they have Coenzyme Q10 or Coenzyme Q10(H2) as their major ubiquinone, they lack xylose in whole-cell hydrolysates, and they cannot ferment sugars. One species, Sporobolomyces salmonicolor, is known to cause disease in humans.
The Chionosphaeraceae are a family of fungi in the order Agaricostilbales. The family contains six genera. Some species form small, stilboid (pin-shaped) fruitbodies. Others are known only from their yeast states.
Phaeotremella is a genus of fungi in the family Phaeotremellaceae. All Phaeotremella species are parasites of other fungi and produce anamorphic yeast states. Basidiocarps, when produced, are gelatinous and are colloquially classed among the "jelly fungi". Fifteen or so species of Phaeotremella are currently recognized worldwide. Tremella sanguinea, shown to be a Phaeotremella species by DNA sequencing, is cultivated in China as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.
Cystofilobasidium is a genus of fungi in the family Cystofilobasidiaceae. Species occur as yeasts, but produce filamentous sexual states that form dikaryote teliospores, from which the unicellular basidia are formed. The hyphae usually have dolipore septa without a parenthesome, and their cell walls contain xylose. The genus currently contains nine species worldwide.
Naematelia is a genus of fungi in the family Naemateliaceae. All Naematelia species are parasites of other fungi and produce anamorphic yeast states. When produced, Basidiocarps ,, are gelatinous and are colloquially classed among the "jelly fungi."Four species of Naematelia are currently recognized worldwide. One species, Naematelia aurantialba, is commercially cultivated for food.
Pseudotremella is a genus of fungi in the family Bulleraceae. All Pseudotremella species are parasites of other fungi and produce anamorphic yeast states. Basidiocarps, when produced, are gelatinous and are colloquially classed among the "jelly fungi". Four species of Pseudotremella are currently recognized worldwide. Two of these species are, as yet, only known from their yeast states.
Solicoccozyma is a genus of fungi in the family Piskurozymaceae. Species have only been isolated in their yeast states, several of which were formerly referred to the genus Cryptococcus, but can produce filamentous states with basidia in culture. Nine species have been described worldwide.
The Rhynchogastremaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains two genera. Some species produce filamentous sexual states with septate basidia and are parasites of other fungi. Most, however, are only known from their yeast states.
The Trimorphomycetaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains four genera. Some species produce filamentous sexual states and are parasites of other fungi. Most, however, are only known from their yeast states.
The Carcinomycetaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains a single genus. Some species produce filamentous sexual states with basidia and are parasites of other fungi. Some, however, are only known from their yeast states.
The Spiculogloeales are an order of fungi in the subdivision Pucciniomycotina of the Basidiomycota. The order is currently monotypic, consisting of a single family, the Spiculogloeaceae. Species in the genus Phyllozyma are currently known only from their yeast states. Species in the genus Spiculogloea form hyphal states that produce auricularioid basidia and are parasitic on other fungi.
