New freshwater algae species discovered in Western Ghats

THE Western Ghats continue to reveal their immense and largely untapped biodiversity. In a recent discovery, researchers from Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam, have identified a new species of freshwater algae in Rosemala, located in Kollam district.

- ANU KURUVILLA @Kochi

THE Western Ghats continue to reveal their immense and largely untapped biodiversity. In a recent discovery, researchers from Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam, have identified a new species of freshwater algae in Rosemala, located in Kollam district. The species, belonging to the genus Sheathia, has been named Sheathia rosemalayensis after the place where it was found.

The discovery was made by Dr Jayalakshmi P S, assistant professor at Mar Athanasius College (Autonomous), Kothamangalam, and Fr Dr Jose John, former principal of Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Thevara.

"This discovery is crucial because