A high number of yeast isolates was obtained from 34 soil and 14 water samples. Molecular analyses
based on rDNA sequences revealed 22 yeast species belonging to 12 genera, with Mrakia and Cryptococcus genera
containing the highest species diversity. The species Sporidiobolus salmonicolor was by far the most ubiquitous,
being identified in 24 isolates from 13 different samples. Most of the yeasts were psychrotolerant and ranged
widely in their ability to assimilate carbon sources (consuming from 1 to 27 of the 29 carbon sources tested). All
species displayed at least 1 of the 8 extracellular enzyme activities tested. Lipase, amylase and esterase activity
dominated, while chitinase and xylanase were less common. Two yeasts identified as Leuconeurospora sp. and
Dioszegia fristingensis displayed 6 enzyme activities