New Lichen Species Discovered in the Western Ghats

• 21 Jul 2025

In July 2025, a team of Indian scientists discovered a new species of lichen named Allographa effusosoredica in the Western Ghats. The discovery highlights the importance of symbiosis, biodiversity, and advanced molecular research.

Key Points

• New Species Identified: Allographa effusosoredica is a crustose lichen with rare morphological and chemical traits.
• Unique Chemistry: The species contains norstictic acid, a rare chemical compound among similar species.
• Symbiotic Structure: Lichens consist of a fungal partner and a photobiont (green alga or cyanobacterium). In this case, the algal partner is a Trentepohlia species.
• Advanced Analysis: DNA sequencing of multiple markers (mtSSU, LSU, RPB2 for fungi; ITS for algae) was used to place this species close to Allographa xanthospora.
• Evolutionary Insight: Despite its genetic links to A. xanthospora, the species mimics Graphis glaucescens, raising questions about species boundaries.
• Biodiversity Milestone: It is the 53rd Allographa species reported from India, and the 22nd from the Western Ghats.
• Funding and Support: The study was funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), under a project on fungal-algal symbiosis in lichens.