**Summary:**
The Ministry of Science and Technology announced the discovery of a new lichen species, *Allographa effusosoredica*, in the Western Ghats. This finding, reported on August 7, 2025, highlights the region's biodiversity and the importance of studying symbiotic relationships. The species, identified by a team from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) Pune, is characterized as a crustose lichen with effuse soredia and the presence of norstictic acid. Molecular data, including DNA sequencing of mtSSU, LSU, RPB2 (for fungi) and ITS (for algae) markers, confirmed it as a novel *Allographa* species, the first from India to be confirmed with molecular data. This discovery marks the 53rd *Allographa* species reported from India and the 22nd from the Western Ghats.
The research, funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), formerly the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), under a project focused on unraveling symbiosis in the Graphidaceae and Parmeliaceae lichen families, underscores the ecological role of lichens. *Allographa effusosoredica* contributes to soil formation, provides sustenance for insects, and serves as a bioindicator of environmental health. Its unique traits and symbiotic relationship with *Trentepohlia* algae enhance understanding of tropical photobiont diversity.
The government supports research and conservation in biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats through policies, initiatives, and funding via the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR), and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF CC). These efforts include establishing National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, and Wildlife Sanctuaries, as well as identifying new biodiversity spots through Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Organizations such as the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards, ARI, Botanical Survey of India (BSI), and National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) are actively involved in exploring and researching biodiversity across the country.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, provided this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Western Ghats: A major biodiversity hotspot in India, where a new species of lichen was discovered.
Allographa effusosoredica: A newly discovered species of lichen found in the Western Ghats.
Agharkar Research Institute Pune: An Autonomous Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), whose scientists discovered the new lichen species.
Department of Science and Technology DST: A department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, which funds research and development in science and technology.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF: An organization (erstwhile Science and Engineering Research Board SERB) that funded the lichen research project.
National Biodiversity Authority NBA: An organization involved in identifying and recognizing new biodiversity spots.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences.
Rajya Sabha: The Council of States, the upper house of the Parliament of India, where a written reply regarding the discovery was presented.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DISCOVERY OF NEW
SPECIES OF LICHEN IN WESTERN GHATS
Posted On: 07 AUG 2025 3:25PM by PIB Delhi
A new species of lichen, Allographa effusosoredica, has been discovered in the Western Ghats, providing
significant insights into ancient symbiotic relationships between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria
(photosynthetic partners). The newly identified species is crustose lichen characterized by effuse soredia and
the presence of norstictic acid, a rare chemical trait within the Allographa genus. It is the first Allographa
species from India to be confirmed with molecular data, using DNA sequencing of multiple genetic markers
(mtSSU, LSU, RPB2 for fungi, and ITS for algae). A team of Indian scientists from Agharkar Research
Institute Pune, an Autonomous Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has discovered
this previously unknown species of lichen, becoming the 53rd species from the genus reported from India and
the 22nd from the Western Ghats alone. The study was funded by the Anusandhan National Research
Foundation (ANRF), erstwhile Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), under the project
"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 plays a vital role in its ecosystem, contributing to soil formation, providing food
for insects, and serving as a bioindicator of environmental health due to its sensitivity to air quality and
climate changes. Its symbiotic relationship with Trentepohlia algae enhances understanding of tropical
photobiont diversity and locally adapted symbiotic interactions. The presence of norstictic acid and its unique
morphological traits underscores its ecological distinctiveness. As part of the Western Ghats biodiversity,
this lichen support ecosystem stability and highlights the region’s role as a global biodiversity hotspot. The
discovery emphasizes the need for further molecular studies to uncover hidden lichen diversity and their
ecological contributions.
The government is actively promoting research and conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots like the
Western Ghats through various policies, initiatives, and funding mechanisms. The research on rare or ancient
species often employs both traditional taxonomic methods as well as modern molecular techniques to
identify and classify the species, and to understand their evolutionary history and conservation status. The
Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific
& Industrial Research (CSIR), Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Ministry of
Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF &CC) etc. support key research areas focusing study of
ecosystem, evolutionary history, ancient lineages, conservation, human-wildlife interactions, restoration etc.
The government has established numerous National Parks, Biosphere Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries to
protect biodiversity hotspots.
The Government is already involved in identifying and recognizing new biodiversity spots, particularly
through the declaration of Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) and the expansion of Other Effective Area-
based Conservation Measures (OECMs). The identification of new biodiversity spots is a continuous
process, with the active involvement of National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and State Biodiversity
Boards. Various Research Organisations, Educational Institutions and Government Agencies like Agharkar
Research Institute (ARI), Botanical Survey of India (BSI), National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI),
Gobind Ballabh Pant National Institute for Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE) etc. are continuously
exploring other biodiversity spots of the Country by conducting exploratory research and field studies.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.***
NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2153537)