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

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

The new species are: Porina ghoshii, Porina maharashtrae, Strigula kootalkayi, Strigula mahabaleshwarensis, and Graphis agarkarensis.

The discovery enhances understanding of the Western Ghats as a biodiversity hotspot.

The findings may aid future conservation and environmental monitoring efforts.

The first lichen discovery from the institute was made in June 2020.