Sonoplasma treatment (SPT) combines hydrodynamic cavitation with electrical discharge, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and local mechanical stress in water. In this study, six yeast species (Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, Naganishia albida, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and Tausonia pullulans) were used as eukaryotic model organisms to assess SPT efficacy in drinking water and to distinguish immediate from delayed ("treat-and-hold") effects. Standardized suspensions (1.0-1.1 McFarland) were inoculated into 9 L of drinking water and processed at 30 kHz using 1-10 consecutive SPT cycles. Hydrogen peroxide accumulated approximately linearly with cycle number (slope ≈ 0.85 mmol L⁻¹ per cycle, R² = 0.995). At 1 h after treatment, culturability was last detected at cycle 2 for C. albicans, cycle 7 for C. tropicalis, and cycle 9 for R. mucilaginosa, while C. parapsilosis, N. albida, and T. pullulans remained detectable after 10 cycles. During holding after 1-2 cycles, all species underwent progressive post-treatment loss of culturability compared to time-matched controls, with the last detectable time point ranging from 1 h (C. albicans, C. tropicalis) to day 5 (C. parapsilosis, N. albida) after a single cycle; all tested species became non-detectable within the 10-day observation window. These observations indicate that immediate tolerance to SPT varied among the yeasts tested, while loss of culturability during holding was consistent across species, supporting the use of yeasts as stringent eukaryotic benchmarks for plasma-activated water (PAW)-based hybrid disinfection.

Snakes may harbor clinically relevant yeasts, yet the culturable yeast mycobiota of temperate snake species remains poorly characterized. We surveyed culturable yeasts from 17 fecal samples and 5 oral swab samples of Vipera berus (European adder) collected in European Russia immediately after spring emergence from brumation. Yeasts were isolated by culturing at multiple incubation temperatures and identified by conventional phenotyping and ITS region sequencing (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2). In total, 16 yeast species were recovered. Alpha diversity was significantly higher in fecal samples (median richness = 11.0; Shannon H′ = 2.32; Simpson’s index of diversity (1 − D) = 0.91) than in oral samples (median richness = 2.0; H′ = 0.46; (1 − D) = 0.22; Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.001). Oral communities were dominated by Candida parapsilosis (mean relative abundance 84

During the course of independent studies, three conspecific yeast strains were obtained from insect frass, berries and mosses in different regions of Russia. Phylogenetic analysis of two DNA-barcoding regions (internal transcribed spacer and the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene) revealed that they belong to undescribed Curvibasidium species with basal position to other species. Mating tests of the strains revealed true mycelium with clamp connections and teliospores. The teliospore germination and basidia-like structures were also characterised, which is distinguished from other teleomorphic species of the genus. The new species differs genetically from other closely related Curvibasidium species by other genes studied (RPB1, RPB2 and TEF1) and can also be distinguished from them by physiological characteristics. Based on these results, the new species Curvibasidium golubevii sp. nov. (holotype: KBP Y-6775 and allotype: KBP Y-7399, MycoBank no.: MB860467) is formally described.

The choice of model to assess host-pathogen interactions is crucial for the analysis of microbial pathogenicity. Insects are increasingly chosen as model hosts for the study of microbial infections. Although the immune system responses of insects are not specific, they have a complex, evolutionarily conserved innate immune system with cellular and humoral elements. In this study, we investigated in vivo the virulence of potentially pathogenic ascomycetous yeasts found in fresh feces of street pigeons using the larval host model of Tenebrio molitor. The results were arranged in survival curves according to the Kaplan-Meier method. The yeasts Arxiozyma bovina showed the highest pathogenicity, resulting in a significantly shortest median survival time - 24 h, followed by Nakaseomyces glabratus (4 days), Candida albicans and C. tropicalis (5 days), Clavispora lusitaniae (6 days), C. parapsilosis and Pichia kudriavzevii (7 days). The T. molitor model demonstrated the pathogenic potential and virulence differences of the ascomycetous yeasts observed in fresh pigeon droppings in the city. It provided a valuable, swift and cost-effective tool for preliminary virulence screening of clinically important yeasts spread by synanthropic birds in the anthropophized areas. Its detection is of key importance for immunocompromised people and children and is in line with the One Health approach.

Public health in a densely populated city is inextricably linked to the state of the urban environment. The microclimate, the condition of water sources and sanitary well-being are just some of the many environmental factors that have a strong influence on people’s health. The presence of urban green spaces and various birds in cities is extremely important, also to create a more favorable psychological atmosphere for the people who live and/or work there. At the same time, it should not be forgotten that the feces of synanthropic birds are a favorable environment for various potentially pathogenic species of microorganisms, including yeasts of the genus Candida. Here, we investigated the culturable, potentially pathogenic ascomycetous yeast microbiome in the fresh and dry feces of five synanthropic birds (Rock Pigeon, European Starling, White Wagtail, Great Tit and House Sparrow). The samples were collected in spring (May 2024). In total, 48 Rock Pigeon, 47 European Starling, 38 White Wagtail, 32 Great Tit and 30 House Sparrow droppings were collected and analyzed. The selective medium Brilliance Candida Agar was used for cultivation. A total of 638 strains were isolated belonging to 9 yeast species (Arxiozyma bovina, Candida albicans, Nakaseomyces glabratus, Clavispora lusitaniae, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, Pichia kudriavzevii, Debaryomyces hansenii and D. fabryi). All detected yeast species were molecularly identified using the ITS rDNA region. The microbiome of potential pathogens in fresh feces proved to be significantly host-dependent. Most pathogenic yeasts (7 species)—A. bovina, C. albicans, N. glabratus, Cl. lusitaniae, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and P. kudriavzevii—were only detected in fresh feces from pigeons. This list contains five out of six ascomycetous species from the list of critical, high and medium-important yeast pathogens published in the World Health Organization fungal list. Of the potentially pathogenic yeasts, two species were observed in the dry droppings of various birds: C. parapsilosis and P. kudriavzevii. No significant differences in the diversity of culturable pathogens in dry droppings were observed between the different hosts. Fresh droppings from synanthropic birds, especially pigeons (and to a lesser extent dry droppings), therefore pose a health risk. In this study, we did not find any feces from synanthropic birds in which potentially pathogenic ascomycetous yeasts were not detected. To maintain the sanitary safety and well-being of citizens, it is very important to regulate the number of synanthropic birds (primarily pigeons), especially in sensitive areas such as playgrounds, hospital territories, etc.

Extracellular hydrolytic activity (phospholipase, protease and hemolysin production) was evaluated in 178 strains of potentially pathogenic ascomycetous (Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis) and basidiomycetous (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) yeasts isolated from the excreta of Mew Gulls. Two bird colonies, one nesting in a natural habitat and the other in an urban habitat at the landfill, were studied simultaneously during their 7-month breeding season. Significant differences in phospholipase and protease production were found between natural and anthropophized strains. Both virulent activities were higher in strains of potentially pathogenic yeast species isolated from the excreta of Mew Gulls nesting in the anthropogenic habitat near the landfill. No significant differences were found in hemolysin production. Thus, synanthropic migratory birds nesting in an urban area could be involved in the wide spread of yeast virulence. It seems very important to advocate that landfills in urban areas are nowadays closed and "relocated" to large distances from cities and that biowaste is treated before dumping in order to prevent and minimize its negative impact on the environment (water, soil, air) and human health.

Yeasts are an obligate component of the microbial communities of both undisturbed natural soils and disturbed soils in urban ecosystems. In urban environments changes occur in the yeast complexes in the soil that largely depend on the intensity of the prevailing anthropogenic influences. Yeasts in urban topsoil in playgrounds have been little studied so far. However, even these studies show that opportunistic and pathogenic species of the genera Candida and Cryptococcus can occur there. The presence of such yeasts can pose a serious threat to children whose immune system is not yet sufficiently developed and to adults whose immunity is weakened. We analysed the topsoil (0–15 cm) of ten playgrounds in the city of Moscow throughout the year for the presence of opportunistic and pathogenic Candida yeasts included in the “WHO fungal priority pathogens list” in 2022 (WHO FPPL). In addition, the susceptibility profile of the isolated strains to three conventional antifungal agents was evaluated: Fluconazole, Voriconazole and Amphotericin B. Two opportunistic Candida species, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis, were observed during the study period. Resistance to fluconazole was detected in 41

In urban ecosystems, processes associated with anthropogenic influences almost always lead to changes in soil micromycete complexes. The taxonomic structure of soil micromycete complexes is an important informative parameter of soil bioindication in the ecological control of urban environments. Unicellular fungi, such as culturable yeasts, are a very suitable and promising object of microbiological research for monitoring urban topsoil. This review aims to give an overview of the yeast communities in urban topsoil in different areas of Moscow (heating main area, household waste storage and disposal area, highway area) and to discuss the changes in the taxonomic structure of culturable yeast complexes depending on the type and intensity of anthropogenic impact.

The culturable yeast communities in temperate forest soils under the ornithogenic influence were studied in a seasonal dynamic. To investigate the intense ornithogenic influence, conventional and “live” feeders were used, which were attached to trees in the forest and constantly replenished throughout the year. It was found that the yeast abundance in the soil under strong ornithogenic influence reached the highest values in winter compared to the other seasons and amounted to 4.8 lg (cfu/g). This was almost an order of magnitude higher than the minimum value of yeast abundance in ornithogenic soils determined for summer. A total of 44 yeast species, 21 ascomycetes and 23 basidiomycetes, were detected in ornithogenic soil samples during the year. These included soil-related species (Barnettozyma californica, Cyberlindnera misumaiensis, Cutaneotrichosporon moniliiforme, Goffeauzyma gastrica, Holtermanniella festucosa, Leucosporidium creatinivorum, L. yakuticum, Naganishia adeliensis, N. albidosimilis, N. globosa, Tausonia pullulans, and Vanrija albida), eurybionts (yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans, Debaryomyces hansenii, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa), inhabitants of plant substrates and litter (Cystofilobasidium capitatum, Cys. infirmominiatum, Cys. macerans, Filobasidium magnum, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, and Rh. babjevae) as well as a group of pathogenic and opportunistic yeast species (Arxiozyma bovina, Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, Clavispora lusitaniae, and Nakaseomyces glabratus). Under an ornithogenic influence, the diversity of soil yeasts was higher compared to the control, confirming the uneven distribution of yeasts in temperate forest soils and their dependence on natural hosts and vectors. Interestingly, the absolute dominant species in ornithogenic soils in winter (when the topsoil temperature was below zero) was the basidiomycetous psychrotolerant yeast T. pullulans. It is regularly observed in various soils in different geographical regions. Screening of the hydrolytic activity of 50 strains of this species at different temperatures (2, 4, 10, 15 and 20 °C) showed that the activity of esterases, lipases and proteases was significantly higher at the cultivation temperature. Ornithogenic soils could be a source for the relatively easy isolation of a large number of strains of the psychrotolerant yeast T. pullulans to test, study and optimize their potential for the production of cold-adapted enzymes for industry.

In the study of yeasts from frass of longhorn beetle larvae, species with high abundance from the genera Diddensiella, Scheffersomyces and Sugiyamaella and some others with lower abundance were observed. The novel ascomycetous yeast species Diddensiella monakovoensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype: KBP Y-6906; isotypes: VKM Y-3676 and DBVPG 8067) is proposed based on a conventional DNA-barcode sequence analysis and physiological characteristics. The new yeast species differs by 3.5

Migratory birds play an important role in the spread of yeasts in the environment over long distances and in different geographical regions. Human activities, in turn, have a major impact on the biology of wild birds and, consequently, on the microbial communities for which birds act as carriers and disseminators. We sought to assess the “response” of the diversity of culturable yeasts in the feces of Mew Gulls to the type of nesting site (natural/anthropogenic) during the breeding season from April to October 2023. We isolated and molecularly identified 26 yeast species. The species composition in the feces of birds from the natural habitat was more diverse, and the diversity increased from April to October. In contrast, the diversity in the feces of birds from the urban habitat decreased from April to October. Analysis of susceptibility to conventional antibiotics (fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B) using the CLSI BMD (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution) method in isolated strains of opportunistic Candida (C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis) and strains of the emerging pathogen Rhodotorula mucilaginosa showed that the proportion of resistant strains was higher in strains isolated from the feces of birds from the anthropogenic population. Mew Gulls that spent their breeding season near a landfill and flew away for wintering appear to be a source for the spread of pathogenic yeasts with resistance against antifungal agents.

During the course of two independent studies, six conspecific yeast strains were recovered from flowers, soil, bird faeces and wood of different geographical origins. The six strains share identical DNA sequences in two barcoding regions, the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2). According to sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis, they represent an undescribed Wickerhamia species. The novel species is not only genetically distinct from W. fluorescens, the single species of the genus but can also be distinguished from it by some phenotypic characters. We propose Wickerhamia europaea sp. nov. (holotype: NCAIM Y.01938; isotype: CBS 18675; MycoBank no.: 856571) to accommodate the above noted strains. Under certain fermentation conditions, we detected the production of phenyllactic acid, a potential broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound against food-borne pathogens, by the type strain of the novel species, although in smaller concentrations than in the case of W. fluorescens. Comparing our observations on the formation and properties of the ascospores of Wickerhamia europaea sp. nov. and the ambiguous data on the number of ascospores per ascus of W. fluorescens, we suggest a possible explanation to reconcile the different data regarding the number of ascospores per ascus formed by W. fluorescens.

Endophytic yeast species were studied in the internal tissues of ripe cultivated vegetables and fruits. A total of 19 yeast species, 11 ascomycete species, and 8 basidiomycete species were observed in the internal tissues of all fruits examined. The opportunistic yeast Candida parapsilosis was present in all plants studied. Several virulence factors (production of hydrolytic enzymes and sensitivity to antifungal agents) were examined in all 107 isolates of C. parapsilosis from the internal tissues of fruits. The most virulent isolates were found in vegetables. C. parapsilosis is widespread in nature and is often isolated from a variety of non-human sources. It is frequently involved in invasive infections that seriously affect human health. This species poses a high risk to immunocompromised individuals, such as HIV patients and surgical patients or children whose immune systems are not sufficiently mature. Since virulent isolates of Candida parapsilosis have been found in vegetables and fruits; their raw consumption may not be safe. Finally, we emphasize the importance of ongoing phenotypic and genetic studies of endophytic isolates of Candida parapsilosis and their comparison with clinical isolates.

Yeast complexes in the composting process of cow dung prepared to fertilize the soil for growing vegetables and fruits were studied. The average abundance of yeasts changed during the four temperature stages of the composting process. The highest abundance of yeasts, 1.38 × 104 cfu/g, was observed in the second stage of heating from 20 to 40 °C; the lowest was studied in the stage with the highest temperature (65 °C), 1.68 × 103 cfu/g. A total of 19 yeast species were observed and identified: 11 ascomycetes and 8 basidiomycetes, belonging to five subphyla of Fungi: Saccharomycotina (10), Pezizomycotina (1), Agaricomycotina (5), Pucciniomycotina (2), and Ustilaginomycotina (1). The greatest diversity of yeasts was found in the initial (20 °C) and second (heating up to 40 °C) temperature stages of composting (Aureobasidium pullulans (yeast-like fungus), Candida parapsilosis, Candida saitoana, Candida santamariae, Candida tropicalis, Curvibasidium cygneicollum, Cutaneotrichosporon moniliforme, Debaryomyces fabryi, Debaryomyces hansenii, Filobasidium magnum, Kazachstania sp., Moesziomyces bullatus, Naganishia globosa, Papiliotrema flavescens, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Scheffersomyces insectosa, Torulaspora delbrueckii, Vanrija musci), and the lowest in the stage of maximum heating (65 °C) (C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, Cyberlindnera jadinii).The opportunistic yeasts C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis were obtained not only in the initial, second and third temperature stages of the composting process, but also in mature compost in the final stage prepared for soil application. This study shows that the cow dung, used in the farm studied did not meet the microbiological safety criteria. The reduction of opportunistic yeast species was not achieved with the composting method used. The likelihood of these species entering agricultural products via compost and soil and developing as endophytes in the internal tissues of fruits is very high. Since some strains of opportunistic Candida species from cow dung exhibited virulent characteristics (they produced hydrolytic enzymes and were resistant to antifungal compounds), additional phenotypic and genetic studies of the compost strains and their comparison with clinical isolates should be pursued.

Yeast complexes in the fecal samples of wild (Dendrocopos major, Picus viridis) and partially synanthropic (Bombycilla garrulus, Garrulus glandarius, Pica pica, and Pyrrhula pyrrhula) birds were studied in a forest ecosystem during winter. A total of 18 yeast species were identified: 16 ascomycetes and two basidiomycetes belonging to five subphyla of fungi: Saccharomycotina (15), Pezizomycotina (1), Agaricomycotina (1), and Pucciniomycotina (1). Most yeast species were found in the fecal samples of P. pyrrhula (Candida parapsilosis, C. zeylanoides, Debaryomyces hansenii, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Meyerozyma carpophila, M. guilliermondii, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa); the lowest number of yeast species was observed in the feces of B. garrulus (C. parapsilosis, C. zeylanoides, Met. pulcherrima, and Rh. mucilaginosa). The opportunistic species of the genus Candida were found only in feces of partially synanthropic birds: C. parapsilosis was observed in the feces of B. garrulus, G. glandarius, P. pica, and P. pyrrhula; its relative abundance was 69.3%, 49.1%, 10.5%, and 1.1%, respectively; C. tropicalis was observed in the feces of P. pica and G. glandarius; its relative abundance was 54.6% and 7.1%, respectively. Strains of C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis isolated from the feces of partially synanthropic birds were evaluated for their susceptibility to conventional antifungal agents (fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B) and hydrolytic activity. A total of 160 strains were studied. Resistance to fluconazole was detected in 86.8% of C. parapsilosis strains and in 87% of C. tropicalis strains; resistance to voriconazole was detected in 71.7% of C. parapsilosis and in 66.7% of C. tropicalis strains, and the lowest percentage of resistant strains was detected to amphotericin B, 2.8% and 3.7% in C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis strains, respectively. Multiresistance was detected in one strain of C. parapsilosis isolated from P. pica feces and in one strain of C. tropicalis isolated from G. glandarius feces. Phospholipase and hemolysin activities in the strains of C. parapsilosis were low (mean Pz values of 0.93 and 0.91, respectively); protease activity was moderate (mean Pz value of 0.53). The ability to produce hydrolytic enzymes was higher in the isolated strains of C. tropicalis. The mean Pz values of phospholipase and hemolysin activities were moderate (mean Pz values of 0.63 and 0.60, respectively), whereas protease activity was high (mean Pz value of 0.32). Thus, wild and partially synanthropic birds play an important role in disseminating of various yeast species. These yeasts can enter the topsoil via feces and contribute to the formation of allochthonous and uneven soil yeast diversity in natural ecosystems. In addition, partially synanthropic birds can be vectors of virulent strains of opportunistic Candida species from urban environments to natural biotopes.

A comprehensive quantitative and qualitative characterization of prokaryotic communities of solid atmospheric fallout (dust aerosol) and soils in the areas with different anthropogenic loads within the territory of Moscow was obtained. The total number of bacteria in the studied samples of solid atmospheric fallouts (SAF) was lower than the number of bacteria in soil samples; actinomycete mycelium was not found in dust samples, although it was found in soil samples. The number of culturable saprotrophic bacteria in dust samples was an order of magnitude lower than in Urbic Technosols taken at the same plots. Representatives of the genus Micrococcus dominated the culturable bacteria in the dust aerosols, while representatives of the phylum Proteobacteria dominated in soils. Representatives of the Enterobacteriaceae family were found in the dust samples, among which there were species that are potential human pathogens. The maximum biodiversity of bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family was recorded in the dust samples taken in areas with increased anthropogenic and transport load. The sanitary-indicative bacterium Escherichia coli was found in all samples of the dust and Urbic Technosols; its content varied from 10 to 100 CFU/g, which corresponds to the moderate degree of epidemic danger. Ecological indices calculated for prokaryotic communities in situ (barcoding of the 16S rRNA gene) indicate a lower taxonomic diversity of SAF prokaryotic communities in comparison with communities of closely spaced Urbic Technosols.

Strains of the ascomycetous yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima isolated from the internal tissues of fruits were evaluated for phytohormonal activity. IAA production in the culture liquid was determined by the chromatographic method (HPLC-UV). The production of the phytohormones zeatin and gibberellin (GA3) in the culture liquid was determined by a chromatographic method using a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry detector (Q- TOF LC / MS). IAA and zeatin were detected in the culture liquid of all strains studied. Synthesis of gibberellin (GA3) was detected in only 5 of 18 strains examined. On average, the strains showed the highest activity in the synthesis of IAA (6.668 µg/mL and 2.135 mg/g). Zeatin content was 3 orders of magnitude lower (0.365 ng/mL and 0.129 µg/g) and GA3 content was 4 orders of magnitude lower (0.076 ng/mL and 0.027 µg/g). According to our results, the yeast M. pulcherrima is not an active producer of zeatin and GA3 in amounts relevant to the plant. On the other hand, the average level of IAA synthesis detected in M. pulcherrima strains in this study is within the range of concentrations that can stimulate plant development and growth. Thus, endophytic strains of M. pulcherrima that produce plant-relevant levels of IAA could be improved to increase their synthesis ability and used as plant growth promoters in agricultural crops.

— Leucosporidium egoroviorum f.a., sp. nov., a new anamorphic species of the basidiomycetous yeasts, was isolated as an endophyte from the fruits of Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo (zucchini). According to its genetic, physiological, and morphological characteristics, the new species differed significantly from the closely related species L. fellii , L. intermedium , and L. krtinense . The holotype of the new species, KBP Y-6804T, is preserved in a metabolically inactive state; its isotype strains are VKM Y-3065, DSM 113574, and CBS 17590. The MycoBank number is MB 842805.

Strains of the Candida parapsilosis and Meyerozyma guilliermondii species complexes isolated from the internal tissues of 26 fruit species from 21 countries were evaluated for their susceptibility to conventional antifungal compounds (fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B) and hydrolytic activity. A total of 144 strains were studied. Resistance to at least one of the antifungal compounds tested was found in 26.4% of the endophytic strains examined. Most of the strains were insensitive to fluconazole. Multiresistance was detected only in two strains of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto from tropical apples. Phospholipase production and proteolytic and hemolytic activities were significantly higher in endophytes from tropical fruits. Resistant and virulent strains of opportunistic yeasts can thus spread worldwide via purchased fruit, which can harm people with a weakened immune status and children whose immune systems are not yet fully developed.

Mines on tree leaves and undamaged leaves were studied to investigate yeast complexes in urban areas (Aesculus hippocastanum, miner — Cameraria ohridella; Betula verrucosa, miner — Caloptilia betulicola; Populus nigra, miner — Lithocolletis populifoliella; Quercus robur, miner — Tischeria companella; Salix caprea, miner — Trachys minuta; Syringa vulgaris, miner — Caloptilia syringella; Tilia cordata, miner — Phyllonorycter issikii; Ulmus laevis, miner — Carpatolechia fugitivella). The abundance and taxonomic structure of yeasts were studied using a surface plating method on solid media (GPY agar). Identification of yeast species was based on the ITS rDNA nucleotide sequence. The average abundance of yeasts during the first stages of mine formation in the internal tissues of leaves was 103 cfu/g. After 23–25 days, during the last stage of larval metamorphosis before mine destruction, the abundance of yeasts in the mines increased by two orders of magnitude to 105 cfu/g. No significant differences were observed in the abundance of yeasts in mines formed by different insects on different trees. A total of twelve yeast species were observed. The fast-growing ascomycetous yeasts Hanseniaspora uvarum and H. occidentalis dominated the mines. On undamaged leaves, the basidiomycetous yeasts Papiliotrema flavescens and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, typical in the phyllosphere, dominated. The opportunistic yeast Candida parapsilosis was detected in the yeast complexes of all mines examined and was not found on the surface of leaves. Comparison of the relative abundance of yeast species between the studied mines and undamaged leaves using principal component analysis showed that all studied yeast communities in the mines were significantly different from the epiphytic yeast complexes of the undamaged leaves. Thus, miners in urban environments provoke the formation of short-lived endophytic yeast complexes with high abundance of Hanseniaspora. For leaf miners, the yeasts serve primarily as a food source for insect larvae rich in vitamins and amino acids. The adult leaf miners, in turn, contribute to the reproduction of the yeasts and create favorable conditions for their development.