Five new epiphytic species of Vishniacozyma (Bulleribasidiaceae, Tremellales) from China

The genus <i>Vishniacozyma</i>, globally distributed, encompasses numerous epiphytic and endophytic species. In this study, five new species are proposed to accommodate eleven yeast strains isolated from leaves of different plants: <i>V.diospyri</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> (holotype CICC 33574^T), <i>V.guiyangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> (holotype CICC 33569^T), <i>V.pingtangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> (holotype CICC 33596^T), <i>V.eriobotryae</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> (holotype GDMCC 2.312^T), and <i>V.tianchiensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> (holotype CICC 33617^T) using phenotypic and phylogenetic characters. Phylogenetic analysis was based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Illustrations and descriptions of these five taxa are provided, along with comparative analyses with closely related species within the genus. This research highlights the considerable diversity of <i>Vishniacozyma</i> species in China and contributes valuable data for future investigations in fungal systematics and evolution.