Guwahati, Dec 27: A previously unknown fungus has been discovered in the bamboo forests around Mawsynram, adding a new species — and even a new genus — to the scientific record from Meghalaya.
The fungus, named Parasynnemellisia khasiana after the Khasi Hills, was found growing on decaying bamboo culms during a field survey in July 2017. Its formal description has now been published in Phytotaxa, a peer-reviewed international journal, drawing attention to the largely unexplored fungal diversity of the region.
The discovery was made by a team of scientists led by J. Pratibha, along with D. Jayarama Bhat, Turki M. Dawoud, and Ashish Prabhugaonkar.
Researchers encountered the fungus on dead stems of a thorny bamboo species (Chimonocalamus griffithianus) while surveying bamboo litter in the Mawsynram area. At first glance, it appeared as tiny pin-head-like growths on decomposing bamboo — details easily overlooked in dense, rain-soaked forests.
Closer microscopic examination showed that the fungus did not match any known described species.
Further laboratory analysis, including DNA sequencing, confirmed that the organism did not belong to any existing fungal genus. As a result, the researchers established a new genus, Parasynnemellisia, with P. khasiana as its first described species.
The study shows that the fungus forms a distinct evolutionary lineage within the fungal family Phaeosphaeriaceae, separating it from superficially similar bamboo-associated fungi found elsewhere in Asia.
Fungi play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by breaking down dead plant material and recycling nutrients. Bamboo forests, which cover large parts of Meghalaya, are known to host specialised fungal communities, but these remain poorly documented.
The authors note that Meghalaya’s high rainfall, humidity, and dense bamboo cover create ideal conditions for such specialised fungi to thrive. Discoveries like this suggest that many more species may still be waiting to be recorded.
Specimens of the newly described fungus have been deposited in national fungal and herbarium collections in India, ensuring the discovery becomes part of the country’s permanent scientific record.
Researchers say the finding underlines the importance of conserving bamboo habitats — not only for visible wildlife, but also for the lesser-known organisms that quietly sustain forest ecosystems.
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