Yeasts from the North Sea

Yeasts were isolated from twelve established sites in the North Sea from 1964 to 1966. A percentage frequency of 99% with populations varying from <10 to >3000 viable cells/L was observed. This mycota was characterized by considerable spatial and temporal fluctuation, with the dominant yeast present being the ascosporogenous species, Debaryomyces hansenii. This taxon, as well as other common North Sea yeasts, e.g., Rhodotorula rubra and Candida diddensii, have been reported frequently from other marine locales. Noteworthy concentrations of yeasts, especially D. hansenii, were observed during summer months, often in association with various stages of development of the dinoflagellate, Noctiluca miliaris. The population dynamics of the North Sea yeasts are discussed in relation to similar studies of other marine environments.