New lipid-dependent Malassezia species from parrots

Abstract

Background: All the currently recognized Malassezia species have been isolated from mammals. However, only a few of them have been isolated from birds. In fact, birds have been less frequently studied as carriers of Malassezia yeasts than mammals.

Aim: In this study we describe two new taxa, Malassezia brasiliensis sp. nov. and Malassezia psittaci sp. nov.

Methods: The isolates studied in this publication were isolated from pet parrots from Brazil. They were characterized using the current morphological and physiological identification scheme. DNA sequencing and analysis of the D1/D2 regions of the 26S rRNA gene, the ITS-5.8S rRNA gene sequences and the β-tubulin gene were also performed.

Results: The strains proposed as new species did not completely fit the phenotypic profiles of any the described species. The validation of these new species was supported by analysis of the genes studied. The multilocus sequence analysis of the three loci provides robust support to delineate these species.

Conclusions: These studies confirm the separation of these two new species from the other species of the genus Malassezia, as well as the presence of lipid-dependent Malassezia yeasts on parrots.

Keywords: Aves; Birds; Especiación; Loros; Malassezia brasiliensis; Malassezia psittaci; Parrots; Speciation.