Scientists discover two new species of pipeworts from Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Karnataka

Scientists discover two new species of pipeworts from Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Karnataka

New Delhi: Scientists from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune have just lately discovered two new species of pipeworts in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The two new species of a plant group recognized for his or her diversified medicinal properties have been found within the Western Ghats which reportedly is without doubt one of the thirty-five hot-spots of organic variety on the planet.

The plant group is named pipeworts (Eriocaulon), which completes their life cycle inside a small interval throughout monsoon, displays nice variety within the Western Ghats, having round 111 species in India.

Most of those are reported from the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas, and round 70% of them are endemic to the nation. 

The scientists discovered the brand new species whereas exploring the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. They wished to hint the evolutionary historical past of the genus Eriocaulon and made in depth efforts to gather as many species as attainable from India, particularly from the Western Ghats.

“While critically examining our collection, we came across two accessions, which showed different floral characters than earlier known species. Hence, we studied morphology and its DNA to confirm the novelty,” stated Dr Ritesh Kumar Choudhary, the lead creator of the examine.

“Identification of the species belonging to Eriocaulon is very difficult as they all look similar, which is why the genus is often referred to as ‘Taxonomist’s nightmare’. Its tiny flowers and seeds make it difficult to distinguish between different species,” Dr Choudhary identified. 

The one reported from Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra was named as Eriocaulon parvicephalum (as a consequence of its minute inflorescence dimension), and the opposite reported from Kumta in Karnataka was named as Eriocaulon karaavalense (named after Karaavali = Coastal Karnataka area).

“Future studies will focus on elucidating the evolutionary history of the genus in India. A thorough investigation of the phylogenetic relationship between all Indian species would also help in prioritizing the conservation of threatened species in India. We are also trying to develop DNA barcodes, which will enable us to identify the species with just a portion of the leaf,” stated Dr Choudhary’s PhD pupil Ashwini Darshetkar.

The examine was revealed within the journals ‘Phytotaxa’ and ‘Annales Botanici Fennici’.

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