At a glance
Essentials
- Distribution
- Isolates have been recorded in many parts of the world, but the species is not considered ubiquitous. Studies warn that sampling may bias the apparent distribution; furthermore, records are associated with substrates such as grapes and cacao fermentations.
- Habitat
- It has been isolated from fermentations and fruits, as well as from soils under fruit plants. It has also been found in cacao fermentations; these records correspond to specific substrates and do not by themselves describe all its habitats.
Observation guide
What to look for
- 01
It is a unicellular and elongated yeast; its cells grow at the ends and divide by a transverse septum.
- 02
Fission produces two daughter cells of similar size, rather than reproducing by budding.
Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.
Ecology
Description and characteristics
Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a unicellular eukaryotic fungus in the yeast group. Its elongated cells grow at the ends; upon division, they form a septum in the middle zone and produce two daughter cells of similar size. This fission distinguishes it from budding and makes cell division visible in this species.
Its cycle includes a haploid proliferation phase. When nutrients are scarce, cells of opposite mating types can fuse to form a diploid zygote; this enters meiosis and produces four haploid spores. If conditions improve, the spores germinate and give rise to proliferating cells.
In nature, it has been found on various substrates, including fermentations, fruits, and soils associated with fruit plants. Available records do not indicate a uniform presence: species of the genus Schizosaccharomyces are isolated infrequently and rarely dominate the microbial communities where they appear. The known distribution of S. pombe is also linked to specific substrates, so sampling may influence the picture of its distribution.