Context:

• Scientists from MACS–Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune have discovered five new lichen species belonging to the Allographa genus from the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats.

Key Points:

• The study has been published in the scientific journal Mycological Progress and represents the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the genus Allographa from the Western Ghats.
• Allographa is a genus of script lichens or lichen-forming fungi belonging to the Graphidaceae family, characterized by elongated fruiting structures.
• The genus contains more than 200 species.
• Molecular knowledge of Allographa species in India is still limited, especially in the Western Ghats, where many species had previously been identified mainly on the basis of morphology.
• This research represents the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic investigation of Allographa species from the Western Ghats.
• The research team, led by Rajeshkumar KC (PI), doctoral student Ansil PA (CSIR-SRF), and Technical Officer Dr. Bharti Sharma (Co-PI), conducted extensive field surveys across the Western Ghats and collected numerous specimens from tropical forest habitats for detailed examination.
• The team integrated detailed morphological and chemical analyses with multi-locus DNA sequencing using three genetic markers—mtSSU, nrLSU, and RPB2—to evaluate species boundaries and reconstruct evolutionary relationships within the genus.

Five Newly Discovered Species:

• Allographa keralensis — named after the state of Kerala.
• Allographa nayakae — named in honor of renowned Indian lichenologist Dr. Sanjeeva Nayaka.
• Allographa paraconsanguinia.
• Allographa persistinspersa.
• Allographa semicarbonisata.

Lichens

• Symbiotic relationship: Lichens are not single organisms; they are a mutualistic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic alga or cyanobacterium.
• Division of roles: The fungal partner provides structure, protection, and moisture retention, while the algal partner produces food through photosynthesis.
• Allographa genus: It is a group of script lichens under the Graphidaceae family, whose fruiting bodies appear as long, script-like markings.

Western Ghats

• Extent: The Western Ghats extend for about 1,600 km from the Tapti River valley in Gujarat in the north to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu in the south.
• States covered: The range passes through six states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• Physical characteristics: Compared with the Eastern Ghats, the Western Ghats are higher, more continuous, and less eroded. They can be crossed only through a few major passes.
• Highest peak: Anamudi (2,695 m) in Kerala is the highest peak of the Western Ghats.

Regional Classification and Major Passes

• Northern Sahyadri (Tapti to Goa): Dominated by basaltic lava formations (Deccan Trap). Major peaks include Kalsubai and Mahabaleshwar.
• Central Sahyadri (Goa to Nilgiris): Characterized by granite rocks and dense forests. The Baba Budan Hills and Mullayanagiri in Karnataka fall within this region.
• Southern Western Ghats (Nilgiris to Kanyakumari): The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats meet in the Nilgiri Hills.

Major Passes

• Thal Ghat: Connects Mumbai with Nashik.
• Bhor Ghat: Connects Mumbai with Pune.
• Pal Ghat (Palakkad Gap): Connects Palakkad in Kerala with Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.
• Sengottai Pass: Connects Thiruvananthapuram with Madurai.