Allographa effusosoredica

Allographa effusosoredica Latest News

Recently, a team of Indian scientists has uncovered a previously unknown species of lichen, Allographa effusosoredica, from the richly biodiverse Western Ghats.

About Allographa effusosoredica

• It is crustose lichen with striking effuse soredia and comparably rare chemical traits.
• It harboures chemical called norstictic acid which is considered rare in comparison to other morphologically similar species within the genus Allographa.
• It was studied in detail using morphological, chemical and advanced molecular techniques.
• This integrative approach also unveiled its algal partner, a Trentepohlia species, adding to the sparse but growing understanding of photobiont diversity in tropical lichens.
• This is the first Indian species of Allographa ever sequenced from India.
• It also sheds light on lichen-algal symbiosis, reinforcing the concept of locally adapted photobionts.
• Allographa effusosoredica becomes the 53rd species from the genus reported from India and the 22nd from the Western Ghats alone.

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.

Source: PIB

‹ ›