India, July 23 -- Scientists at the MACS Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, have discovered five new species of lichen-forming fungi from the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats, a finding that strengthens scientific understanding of one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots and could support future conservation and environmental monitoring efforts.

The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Mycological Progress, on May 8 2026 marks the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic investigation of the genus Allographa from the Western Ghats.

Researcher Rajeshkumar said "the findings provide crucial genetic data that will help improve species identification and deepen understanding of the evolutionary history of thes...