New Fern Species Pteris madhusoodananii Discovered

Pteris madhusoodananii is a newly described fern species published on 30 July 2026 in the Nordic Journal of Botany. The species is endemic to the Kolli Hills in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu and has been preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered under IUCN Red List Category guidelines.

Taxonomy and discovery

The species was described by an Indian research team that included Kalathil Sethumadhavan Abhilash, Alen Alex Philip, Thekkekara Suresh Gayathri, L. Leeja, Sojan Jose, Suresh Veerankutty, and V. K. Sreenivas. The botanists are affiliated with Government Victoria College, Sri Vyasa NSS College, and Government College Chittur.

Morphological features

Pteris madhusoodananii has stiff, leathery, lustrous deep-green leaves. Taxonomic studies recorded a distinct pinna-pinnule architecture and a prominent lobe at the base of the lower segments. These characters separate it from allied species in the genus Pteris.

Spore characters and habitat

Scanning electron microscopy of the spores showed a narrow, wavy-edged belt called a cingulum. Allied species in the group have smoother and wider cingula. The known population occurs in two small sites across about 8 square kilometres in an unprotected area of the Kolli Hills.

Important Facts for Exams

• Pteris is a genus of ferns placed in the family Pteridaceae.
• The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous mountain range along the eastern coast of India.
• Endemic species are restricted to a particular geographic region or habitat.
• Scanning electron microscopy is used to study fine surface structures, including spores in pteridology.

Conservation status

The Critically Endangered category is the highest threat category before extinction in the IUCN Red List system. Species with very small ranges and limited area of occupancy are often placed in this category.