An Analysis of the Yeast Flora Associated with Cactiphilic Drosophila and their Host Plants in the Sonoran Desert and Its Relation to Temperate and Tropical Associations

摘要: A survey was made in the Sonoran Desert of yeasts living decaying arms five species cereus cacti and four Drosophila that utilize them as host plants. The most common among 132 isolates from 187 files, respectively, were: Pichia membranaefaciens (45% 67%), Candida ingens (17% 4%), Torulopsis sonorensis (12% 11%), Cryptococcus cereanus (8% 7%). Eighty—eight percent 66 initial P. pachea its host, senita cactus, assimilated D—xylose while only 12% remaining 257 did so. Nineteen 20 T. files were found mojavensis 12 14 came D. pachea. highest mean number yeast per cactus 2.77 plus or minus 0.68 organpipe fly 1.63 0.53 flies usually carried fewer than plant but had almost same variance which 1.64 @+ 0.40. Yeast diversity average niche overlap have following rank order habitats localities: temperate trees > tropical desert flies. Habitat width show: trees. physiological properties are similar to those yeast. However, similarities with Both low fermentative ability high assimilation several alcohols acids. genus is by far associated all analyzed (36% 1,426 isolates).