New lichen species Allographa effusosoredica found in the Western Ghats
On 18 July 2025, the Department of Science and Technology reported that MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, had discovered a new lichen species, Allographa effusosoredica, in the Western Ghats.
Summary
Scientists at MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, discovered a new lichen species, Allographa effusosoredica, in the Western Ghats, the Ministry of Science and Technology said on 18 July 2025. The crustose lichen has effuse soredia and contains norstictic acid, which is rare among similar species in the genus Allographa. Using morphological, chemical and molecular methods, the team also identified its algal partner (photobiont) as a Trentepohlia species. Lichens are a symbiosis of a fungus and a photobiont and serve as bioindicators.
Key facts
- Species
- Allographa effusosoredica (crustose lichen)
- Region
- Western Ghats
- Discovered by
- MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune (DST)
- Rare chemical
- Norstictic acid
- Photobiont
- Trentepohlia species (alga)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which new lichen species from the Western Ghats was reported by MACS-Agharkar Research Institute in July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Allographa effusosoredica
PIB (S&T): scientists uncovered a previously unknown lichen species, Allographa effusosoredica, from the Western Ghats.
The algal partner (photobiont) identified in the new lichen Allographa effusosoredica belongs to which genus?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Trentepohlia
PIB (S&T): the integrative study unveiled its algal partner, a Trentepohlia species.