5 new lichen species discovered in Western Ghats, offering fresh insights into biodiversity

Scientists at MACS Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune discovered five new lichen-forming fungi species in the Western Ghats.

The new species are Allographa keralensis, A. nayakae, A. paraconsanguinea, A. persistinspersa, and A. semicarbonisata.

The discovery strengthens understanding of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot and can support conservation and environmental monitoring.

Lichens serve as indicators of forest health and environmental quality due to sensitivity to pollution, climate change, and habitat disturbances.

The study, published in Mycological Progress, used molecular phylogenetic analysis with three genetic markers to identify the species.