In the dense tropical forests of India's Western Ghats, scientists have made an interesting discovery: they have found five entirely new species of lichens from the genus Allographa. Visually, these organisms resemble delicate black hieroglyphs inscribed on tree bark.
Lichens are a unique symbiosis between fungi and algae. They are incredibly sensitive to air purity and microclimate, thus serving as natural "living sensors." If a forest ecosystem begins to degrade or become polluted, these lichens are the first to disappear, warning people of danger even before the trees are affected.
Researchers from the Agharkar Institute conducted extensive expeditions and employed a modern approach. They not only studied the external appearance and chemical composition of their findings but also deciphered their DNA. It turned out that nature can be deceptive: lichens that look almost identical can be distant relatives at the genetic level.
In total, the biologists described five new species (naming them in honor of the state of Kerala, a renowned scientist, and for specific chemical characteristics), and also clarified data on already known relatives. The results of their work were published in the scientific journal Mycological Progress.
This discovery is more than just an addition to the list of species. It highlights the importance of combining classical botany with genetics. The Western Ghats are considered one of the planet's major biodiversity hotspots, and numerous undescribed organisms still remain hidden there. Now, scientists have an accurate molecular "map" of these lichens. This will help them more precisely identify vulnerable forest areas and protect wildlife in a timely manner, not only in India but worldwide.
