“…The ecosystems are affected by geology, geomorphology, and climate which have a direct impact on the flora and, consequently, the fauna, including insects and their associated yeasts symbionts (Scholes & Biggs, 2004). Furthermore, studies on herbivorous mammals including elephants and rhinos and associated insects such as dung beetles within the region report a wide diversity of microbiota (Nwaefuna, Boekhout, et al, 2023; Rammala & Zhou, 2022). Since yeasts thrive in exudates from leaves, roots, flowers, and tree trunks (Cadete et al, 2014; Starmer & Lachance, 2011), the diversity of ecosystems in southern Africa predicts the presence of many novel yeasts.…”