Five New Allographa Species Found in Western Ghats

Five new species of lichen-forming fungi from the genus Allographa have been identified in the Western Ghats of India. The discovery was made by scientists from the MACS Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, which functions as an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology.

Genus Allographa

Allographa belongs to the lichen-forming fungi group and is studied in taxonomy, ecology, and biodiversity research. Lichens are composite organisms formed by a fungal partner and a photosynthetic partner, usually an alga or cyanobacterium.

Species Identified in the Study

The five newly described species are Allographa keralensis, Allographa nayakae, Allographa paraconsanguinea, Allographa persistinspersa, and Allographa semicarbonisata. The name Allographa keralensis refers to Kerala, and Allographa nayakae honours Indian lichenologist Dr. Sanjeeva Nayaka.

Methods Used in Identification

The research used traditional taxonomic methods and molecular phylogenetics. The study applied multi-locus DNA sequencing with three genetic markers, namely mtSSU, nrLSU, and RPB2, to examine species diversity and evolutionary relationships.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s recognised biodiversity hotspots.
• Lichens are used as bioindicators because they are sensitive to air pollution and habitat change.
• Multi-locus DNA sequencing uses more than one genetic marker for species identification and evolutionary analysis.
• The journal Mycological Progress publishes research on fungi and fungal taxonomy.

Research Context and Relevance

This study is the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic investigation of Allographa species from the Western Ghats. The findings add molecular reference sequences for future fungal studies in India.