Oman celebrates discovery of three new fungi species, ten others first time in region

Oman celebrates discovery of three new fungi species, ten others first time in region

The discovery identifies three unique fungi species, identified for the first time globally, and 10 others recorded first time in OmanMuscat – The Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation announced that researchers in Oman have discovered three new species of large fungi (mushrooms), and ten additional species recorded for the first time in Oman and the Arabian Peninsula.

The announcement was made during a press conference on Wednesday coinciding with the International Day for Biological Diversity, under the patronage of H E Dr Rahma al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation. 

The groundbreaking discovery includes identification of three unique fungi species, identified for the first time globally, and ten additional species recorded for the first time in Oman and the Arabian Peninsula. These fungi were collected from various locales within the Dhofar governorate during the autumn of 2023. They were analysed in laboratories using advanced genetic sequencing techniques to establish their unique characteristics.

Among the newly discovered species, the most notable is named Termitomyces dhofarensis, popular among the citizens of Dhofar. This species is notably the second mushroom to be named after Dhofar, reflecting a distinct genus and family classification compared to a previously identified species in 2022.

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