Validation of the species concept in the genus Dekkera by restriction analysis of genes coding for rRNA

The gene coding for the small-subunit rRNA of 11 type strains belonging to the genus Dekkera and its anamorph, Brettanomyces, was amplified by using the polymerase chain reaction and subjected to digestion with a series of restriction endonucleases. Similarity coefficients were calculated from the number of shared and unique fragments, and a cluster analysis yielded four distinct groups with the following ascosporogenous states: Dekkera anomala, Dekkera bruxellensis, Dekkera custersiana, and Dekkera naardenensis. Results correlate with evidence from isoenzyme electrophoresis and DNA homology analysis. They also confirm previously reported anamorph-teleomorph connections and recently proposed synonymies within the genus.