Science, Discovery, Tech and Environment · 24 July 2026

Five New Allographa Species Found in Western Ghats

Exam-focused facts from the 24 July 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Researchers from the MACS Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) discovered five new Allographa lichen species in the Western Ghats.
  • The new species are Allographa keralensis, A. nayakae, A. paraconsanguinea, A. persistinspersa, and A. semicarbonisata.
  • The study combined morphological and chemical analysis with DNA sequencing across three genetic markers—mtSSU, nrLSU, and RPB2.
  • The team also produced fresh molecular data for five previously known species: A. calcea, A. macella, A. aquilonia, A. rimulosa, and A. effusosoredica.
  • Allographa lichens are sensitive to pollution and habitat disturbance, making them valuable indicators of forest health.
  • The findings were published in the journal Mycological Progress and reinforce the Western Ghats as a major centre of lichen diversity.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

New damselfly species found in Kerala’s Western Ghats

A new species of spreadwing damselfly, Lestes paloti, was discovered in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The discovery is the first new Lestes species from the Western Ghats since 1929 and the first from India since 1987.