Biodiversity and distribution of ps

Biodiversity and distribution of psychrophilic andpsychrotolerant yeasts outside cold habitats are notwell known. Frequent sources of isolation such as ice,glacier sediment, snow and meltwater do not tell muchabout ecological preferences of these yeasts and theirdispersal abilities. Most of our knowledge about theseyeasts comes from laboratory experiments, not fromfield studies. We have some understanding of traitshelping these yeasts to survive (e.g. production ofspecific cold active extracellular enzymes) (Buzziniet al. 2012). However, the range of potential habitatsand niches suitable for these yeasts remains largelyunknown.