Two New Species of Aspergillus section Nigri from the Western Ghats
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: PIB
Context: Indian scientists from MACS–Agharkar Research Institute (Pune), under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), have discovered two new species of Aspergillus section Nigri from the Western Ghats.
About Two New Species of Aspergillus section Nigri from the Western Ghats:
• Aspergillus Section Nigri:
• A group of black-coloured fungi, commonly called black aspergilli. Found widely in soil and plants, with important uses in citric acid production, food industry, fermentation, and agriculture. Known as “workhorses of biotechnology” due to their industrial applications.
• A group of black-coloured fungi, commonly called black aspergilli.
• Found widely in soil and plants, with important uses in citric acid production, food industry, fermentation, and agriculture.
• Known as “workhorses of biotechnology” due to their industrial applications.
• Newly Identified Species:
• Aspergillus dhakephalkarii: Found in the Western Ghats. Grows rapidly, produces brown spores and orange sclerotia (resting structures). Has smooth, oval-shaped spores, unlike many others which have rough, spiny ones. Aspergillus patriciawiltshireae: Also from the Western Ghats. Fast-growing with abundant sclerotia and modest spore production. Has spiny spores and branching structures that split into many columns. Additionally, two species were reported for the first time in India: A. aculeatinus and A. brunneoviolaceus.
• Aspergillus dhakephalkarii: Found in the Western Ghats. Grows rapidly, produces brown spores and orange sclerotia (resting structures). Has smooth, oval-shaped spores, unlike many others which have rough, spiny ones.
• Found in the Western Ghats.
• Grows rapidly, produces brown spores and orange sclerotia (resting structures).
• Has smooth, oval-shaped spores, unlike many others which have rough, spiny ones.
• Aspergillus patriciawiltshireae: Also from the Western Ghats. Fast-growing with abundant sclerotia and modest spore production. Has spiny spores and branching structures that split into many columns.
• Also from the Western Ghats.
• Fast-growing with abundant sclerotia and modest spore production.
• Has spiny spores and branching structures that split into many columns.
• Additionally, two species were reported for the first time in India: A. aculeatinus and A. brunneoviolaceus.
• Significance:
• Shows that the Western Ghats are rich in hidden fungal diversity. Useful for industry (citric acid, food fermentation), agriculture (soil nutrient support), and biotech applications. Strengthens India’s contribution to taxonomy, ecology, and biotechnology research.
• Shows that the Western Ghats are rich in hidden fungal diversity.
• Useful for industry (citric acid, food fermentation), agriculture (soil nutrient support), and biotech applications.
• Strengthens India’s contribution to taxonomy, ecology, and biotechnology research.