Saccharomycomorpha
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Sar
Clade:	Rhizaria
Phylum:	Cercozoa
Class:	Sarcomonadea
Order:	Glissomonadida
Family:	Saccharomycomorphidae Feng, He, Jiang, Zhang & Yu, 2021
Genus:	Saccharomycomorpha Feng, He, Jiang, Zhang & Yu, 2021
Species:	S. psychra
Binomial name
Saccharomycomorpha psychra Feng, He, Jiang, Zhang & Yu, 2021[1]
Type strain
CPCC 300049

Saccharomycomorpha is a genus of non-flagellated protists with a rare yeast-like appearance, containing the single species Saccharomycomorpha psychra. It is the only genus of the family Saccharomycomorphidae, within the cercozoan order Glissomonadida.^[1] Before its description in 2021 it was known as clade T, recovered from environmental DNA in previous phylogenetic analyses.^[2]

Morphology and behavior

Saccharomycomorpha psychra is a unicellular protist composed of round unflagellated cells, which is a unique morphological characteristic among Glissomonadida. It is able to withstand temperatures of 4 °C and its optimal growth is mainly 20 °C, making it a psychrophilic organism.^[1]

Ecology

The species was isolated from lichen and moss found in both the Arctic (Svalbard) and maritime Antarctica (King George Island), respectively. These areas have a flora mainly consisting of lichens and mosses. Although glissomonads are mainly bacterivorous, Saccharomycomorpha is perhaps an osmotrophic or parasitic species, since it is able to grow in a culture medium without the presence of bacteria.^[1]

References