YEAST CLASSIFICATION AND ECOLOGY

Despite the increasing availability of modern classification techniques based on similarities at the gene level, routine laboratory identification of yeasts still relies on microscopic comparison of the isolate s cell shape, how it reproduces (asexually versus sexual), as well as utilization of various carbon and nitrogen compounds, and metabolites produced. 

Under certain environmental conditions, some yeast strains may enter a sexual (or perfect ) phase in their life cycle during which they produce intermediate sexual spores called ascospores. Upon germination, ascos- 

The imperfect genus Candida comprises the largest collection of similarappearing asexual yeasts. Members of the group are familiar to most winemakers in that they play important quantitative and qualitative roles in the community of yeasts collectively called film yeasts.  

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