A team of researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) in Palode, Kerala, India, has discovered a new species of mushroom in the Western Ghats. The new species, named Candolleomyces albosquamosus, is a small, delicate mushroom with a honey-yellow cap and a white stem. It grows on dead logs and bamboo culms in the natural forest, reports The Hindu.
The discovery was made by Dr. C.K. Pradeep and Ms. P.K. Nayana from JNTBGRI’s Microbiology Division. They collected the mushroom from the JNTBGRI campus in Palode and identified it as a new species after comparing it to known fungal species.
“We are excited to have discovered a new species of mushroom from the Western Ghats,” said Dr. Pradeep. “This discovery highlights the remarkable biodiversity of the region and the need for further exploration of fungal diversity.”
The Western Ghats are a mountain range that runs along the western coast of India. They are one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, home to a wide variety of plants, animals, and fungi. However, the Western Ghats are also under threat from deforestation and other human activities.
“The discovery of a new mushroom species from the Western Ghats is a reminder of the importance of protecting this unique ecosystem,” said Dr. Pradeep.
Candolleomyces albosquamosus is a member of the genus Candolleomyces, which is a relatively small genus with only 35 recognized species worldwide. The new species is the first Candolleomyces species to be discovered in India.
Dr. Pradeep and Ms. Nayana have published their findings in the scientific journal Phytotaxa. In their paper, they describe the morphology of the new species and discuss its relationship to other Candolleomyces species.
The discovery of Candolleomyces albosquamosus is an important contribution to our understanding of the fungal diversity of the Western Ghats. It is also a reminder of the need to protect this biodiverse region from human-caused threats.