In a major breakthrough for biodiversity research, scientists from the MACS-Agharkar Research Institute and Savitribai Phule Pune University have discovered a new species of lichen in the Western Ghats, one of India’s most ecologically sensitive and biodiverse regions. The species, named Allographa effusosoredica, offers vital clues into ancient fungal–algal symbiotic relationships.
The species belongs to the Graphidaceae family and is characterized by its crustose growth, powdery soredia, and production of norstictic acid, a chemical marker aiding identification. Genetic analysis also revealed a previously undocumented algal symbiont from the Trentepohlia genus, offering new insights into the evolution of fungal–algal partnerships.
This marks the 53rd Allographa species documented in India, and the 22nd from the Western Ghats—highlighting the region’s rich, underexplored lichen diversity.