PTERIS MADHUSOODANANII: NEW FERN SPECIES DISCOVERED IN THE EASTERN GHATS
18 August 2026
PRERNA FOR IAS
Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari
Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath
PTERIS MADHUSOODANANII: NEW FERN SPECIES DISCOVERED IN THE EASTERN GHATS
Context: Indian botanists have described a new fern species, Pteris madhusoodananii, from the Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. The discovery was formally published in the Nordic Journal of Botany on 30 July 2026. Morphological study, scanning electron microscopy of spores and molecular analysis were used to establish it as a distinct species.
Background and Location: The fern was found around the Puliansolai shola forest landscape of the Kolli Hills. Its known distribution is extremely restricted—only two small sites covering about 8 sq km, largely outside a protected area. This makes the species particularly vulnerable to local habitat disturbance.
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New fern species Pteris madhusoodananii discovered in Kolli Hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Critically Endangered endemic species requires urgent conservation action.
Keywords
Pteris madhusoodananiiEastern GhatsKolli Hillsnew fern speciesendemic speciesPteridaceae familycritically endangeredbiodiversity conservationTamil Naduhabitat protection