Abstract
Yeasts are an important component of the microbiome in circumpolar regions that are characterized by unique environmental conditions. However, the taxonomy of yeasts remains largely unknown in high- and low-latitude regions. Curing a field survey of yeasts in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, a new yeast genus in Kriegeriales was isolated from dendritic lichens. Based on the phylogeny of multiple loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb1, rpb2, tef1-α, and cytb), morphology, and physiological characteristics, the new genus Lichenia is proposed with the type species Licheniasvalbardensis. Additionally, 10 °C and 15 °C are the fastest growth temperatures of L.svalbardensis. It has low or no growth at temperatures above 20 °C, and there appears to be a morphogenetic transition from yeast to pseudohyphae or hyphae above 10 °C.