Discovery of New Lichen Species in Western Ghats
A new lichen species, Allographa effusosoredica, has been discovered in the Western Ghats, revealing insights into ancient symbiotic relationships between fungi and algae. This crustose lichen, characterized by effuse soredia and norstictic acid, is the first of its kind in India confirmed through molecular data. The discovery highlights the ecological importance of this species in soil formation and as a bioindicator of environmental health. The research was conducted by Indian scientists from Agharkar Research Institute and emphasizes the need for further studies on lichen diversity in biodiversity hotspots.
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