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New Black Fungal Species Aspergillus dhakephalkarii and Aspergillus patriciavillshireae Discovered in Western Ghats.

Environment | Dated: 15 Sep 2025

In September 2025, researchers from MACS-Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, Maharashtra, discovered two new black Aspergillus species — Aspergillus dhakephalkarii and Aspergillus patriciavillshireae — from soil samples of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO biodiversity hotspot.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The discovery also marked the first geographic record of Aspergillus aculeatinus and Aspergillus brunneoviolaceus in the Western Ghats.
  • - The new species exhibit distinct morphological features such as yellowish sclerotia, spiny conidia, and branching conidiophores.
  • - The findings emphasize the ecological richness of the Western Ghats and the urgent need to explore fungal biodiversity for scientific and biotechnological applications.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) Aspergillus dhakephalkarii forms fast-growing colonies with pale to dark brown spores, uniseriate conidiophores (2–3 branches), and smooth ellipsoidal conidia.
  • (ii) Aspergillus patriciavillshireae shows rapid growth, abundant yellowish-orange sclerotia, and acid production on specific media, with conidiophores branching into five or more columns.
  • (iii) The study used molecular markers such as Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), Calmodulin (CaM), BenA, and RPB2 genes to confirm species identity, highlighting its systematic and taxonomic significance.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, the first geographic record of Aspergillus aculeatinus and Aspergillus brunneoviolaceus in India was reported from which biodiversity hotspot?

Correct Answer: Western Ghats

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Agharkar Research Institute (ARI)

  • Director : Dr. Prashant Dhakephalkar
  • Headquarters : Pune, Maharashtra