Recently, a team of researchers has unveiled five new species of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the genus Allographa.
About Allographa:
It is a genus of script lichens or lichen-forming fungi (a fungus that teams up with algae or cyanobacteria to create a lichen) with elongated fruiting bodies in the family
It has more than 200 species and in India these Allographa species are limited, particularly from the Western Ghats.
Ecological Role: These are highly sensitive to pollution, climate shifts and habitat disturbance, making them reliable indicators of ecosystem health.
The recently discovered five new Allographa species from Western Ghats are:Allographa keralensis, A. paraconsanguinea; A. persistinspersa and A. semicarbonisata.
What are Lichens?
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.
Ecological Significance: Lichens play critical roles in ecosystems, building soil, feeding insects and serving as nature’s bioindicators.
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