**Policy Summary:**
A team of Indian scientists from the MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has discovered a new lichen species, *Allographa effusosoredica*, in the Western Ghats. This discovery, supported by molecular data, marks the first sequenced *Allographa* species from India. The lichen is a crustose type, characterized by effuse soredia and norstictic acid. Researchers employed morphological, chemical, and advanced molecular techniques, including DNA sequencing across mtSSU, LSU, RPB2 for the fungal partner and ITS for the algal symbiont, to identify and classify the species. Phylogenetic analysis places *A. effusosoredica* close to *Allographa xanthospora*, while its morphology resembles *Graphis glaucescens*. The study also identified the algal partner as a *Trentepohlia* species, contributing to the understanding of photobiont diversity in tropical lichens. This research, arising from a project sponsored by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), formerly SERB, titled "Unravelling the symbiosis of algal and fungal partners in lichen family Graphidaceae and Parmeliaceae from the Western Ghats through polyphasic taxonomic approach and ecological studies", contributes to India's lichen inventory, bringing the total number of *Allographa* species reported from India to 53, with 22 from the Western Ghats. The research team includes Ansil P. A., Rajeshkumar K. C., Sruthi O. P., and Bharati O. Sharma. The study emphasizes the need for increased molecular research on Indian lichen diversity, particularly in biodiversity hotspots.
Key Entities Referenced
India: Country where Allographa effusosoredica was discovered.
Allographa effusosoredica: A newly discovered lichen species in the Western Ghats.
Western Ghats: A biodiversity hotspot in India, where the new lichen species was discovered. (Region in India)
MACSAgharkar Research Institute, Pune: An autonomous research institute of the Department of Science and Technology, involved in the lichen study. (Maharashtra, India)
Department of Science Technology DST: The government department that oversees the MACSAgharkar Research Institute.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF: Formerly SERB, sponsored the research project related to lichen symbiosis in the Western Ghats.
Trentepohlia: The algal partner (photobiont) of the newly identified lichen species.
Graphidaceae: The lichen family to which Allographa effusosoredica belongs.
Ministry of Science & Technology
New Lichen species reveals ancient symbiosis in the
Western Ghats
Posted On: 18 JUL 2025 5:31PM by PIB Delhi
A team of Indian scientists has uncovered a previously unknown species of lichen, Allographa effusosoredica,
from the richly biodiverse Western Ghats, carrying within it a tale of symbiosis, evolution and resilience.
Lichens are not just one organism but two (sometimes more) living in intimate symbiosis: a fungus that offers
structure and protection, and a photobiont (usually a green alga or cyanobacterium) that captures sunlight and
makes food. Despite their humble appearance, lichens play critical roles in ecosystems, building soil, feeding
insects and serving as nature’s bioindicators.
The study by MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of
Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, combined classical taxonomy with modern molecular
tools, setting new molecular benchmarks for the genus in the region.
The newly identified species, a crustose lichen with striking effuse soredia and comparably rare chemical
traits, (harbouring chemical called norstictic acid, considered rare in comparison to other morphologically
similar species within the genus Allographa) was studied in detail using morphological, chemical and
advanced molecular techniques. This integrative approach also unveiled its algal partner, a Trentepohlia
species, adding to the sparse but growing understanding of photobiont diversity in tropical lichens.
Fig: Allographa effusosoredica a. Thallus, b. soredia, c. ascus showing I+ blue ascospores, d. clear
hymenium, e. ascospores.
Using DNA sequencing across multiple genetic markers (mtSSU, LSU, RPB2 for the fungal partner and ITS
for the algal symbiont), the researchers placed A. effusosoredica phylogenetically close to Allographa
xanthospora. Interestingly, the lichen’s morphology mimics that of Graphis glaucescens, raising evolutionary
questions about generic boundaries in the Graphidaceae family.
“This is the first Indian species of Allographa ever sequenced from India (This species, discovered in India, is
the first Allographa from the country to be supported by molecular data.,” says the study team, which includesresearchers. “It also sheds light on lichen-algal symbiosis, reinforcing the concept of locally adapted
photobionts.”
The study, led by Ansil P. A., Rajeshkumar K. C., Sruthi O. P., and Bharati O. Sharma, marks a major
step forward in understanding symbiotic life forms and their hidden genetic complexity. It contributes to
India’s growing lichen inventory. This publication arises from a research project sponsored by the
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) (formerly SERB), titled "Unravelling the symbiosis of
algal and fungal partners in lichen family Graphidaceae and Parmeliaceae from the Western Ghats through
polyphasic taxonomic approach and ecological studies".
Allographa effusosoredica becomes the 53rd species from the genus reported from India and the 22nd from
the Western Ghats alone. The study emphasizes the urgent need for more molecular work on Indian lichen
diversity, especially in biodiversity hotspots.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2145823)