Metschnikowiaceae

The Metschnikowiaceae are a family of yeasts in the order Saccharomycetales that reproduce by budding. The family comprises sixteen genera including the type genus Metschnikowia, which is commonly found in floral nectar and dispersed by pollinators on all continents except Antarctica. Originally proposed in 1900 but not validly published until 2013, the family has undergone significant taxonomic revision based on genome-scale studies, leading to the establishment of thirteen new genera in 2024 to better reflect evolutionary relationships. Members are characterized by multilateral budding, often elongated asci, and narrow thread-like ascospores, and they inhabit diverse environments including marine settings, decaying plant material, and especially flower nectar where they can influence pollinator behavior by altering nectar chemistry.