<i>Metschnikowia maris</i> comb. nov., a large-spored yeast species endemic to Serra do Mar Atlantic Rainforest biome, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Two yeast isolates from passion flowers were sampled in the southern part of the Serra do Mar Atlantic Rainforest in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Barcode sequencing and mating experiments showed them to be representatives of <i>Metschnikowia matae</i> var. <i>maris</i>, thus originally named due to the availability of only a single isolate and uncertainties regarding reproductive isolation. The two new isolates being of the complementary mating type to the previously known strain, intravarietal crosses were performed. They yielded a preponderance of two-spored asci, unlike crosses with <i>M. matae</i> var. <i>matae</i>, which led to largely sterile asci. We therefore elevate the variety <i>maris</i> to the rank of species, with the name <i>Metschnikowia maris</i> comb. nov. The holotype is UFMG-CM-Y397^T (<i>MAT</i>α). Strain UFMG-CM-Y7613^A (<i>MAT</i> <b>a</b>) is designated as allotype. The new combination is registered as MB 859665.