Two new black Aspergillus species discovered in Western Ghats soil
Researchers from MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune identified two new species of black Aspergillus, Aspergillus dhakephalkarii and Aspergillus patriciawiltshireae, from Western Ghats soil, DST said on 10 September 2025.
Summary
Researchers from the MACS-Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have identified two new species of Aspergillus section Nigri, commonly called black aspergilli, from soil samples collected in the Western Ghats, DST said on 10 September 2025. The new species are Aspergillus dhakephalkarii and Aspergillus patriciawiltshireae. The team also reported the first geographic record from the region of two other black aspergilli, A. aculeatinus and A. brunneoviolaceus. The researchers said the findings highlight the need for continued exploration and conservation of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats hotspot.
Key facts
- New species
- Aspergillus dhakephalkarii, Aspergillus patriciawiltshireae
- Group
- Aspergillus section Nigri (black aspergilli)
- Source
- Western Ghats soil samples
- Institute
- MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune (DST)
- New records
- A. aculeatinus, A. brunneoviolaceus
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Aspergillus dhakephalkarii and Aspergillus patriciawiltshireae, reported in September 2025, are new species of which organism group?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Black aspergilli (fungi)
They are two new species of Aspergillus section Nigri, commonly known as black aspergilli, a group of filamentous fungi, found in Western Ghats soil.
Which institute's researchers identified two new Aspergillus species from the Western Ghats in 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
Researchers from MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, an autonomous institute of DST, made the identification.