Trichoglossum syamviswanathii – INSIGHTSIAS

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: Scientists have discovered a new fungus species named Trichoglossum syamviswanathii in Kerala.

• This species, belonging to the family Geoglossaceae, was found in the Bambusetum of the KFRI Field Research Centre in Thrissur.
• It’s named after Syam Viswanath, a former director of KFRI. The discovery highlights the rich fungal diversity in the Western Ghats.
• Trichoglossum species are globally distributed and play a role in decomposing organic matter, aiding nutrient recycling in forest ecosystems.

The discovery was made by researchers from KFRI, the Botanical Survey of India, and the University of Hyderabad, and the findings were published in the journal Persoonia – Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi.