Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata Discovered in Sabah, World’s First Horn-Shaped Fungus Identified
KOTA KINABALU: Researchers from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) have discovered a new horn-shaped fungus species in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Lahad Datu, marking the first known species of its kind globally.
The study was led by Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan from the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (IBTP), involving postgraduate students and collaborators from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.
The species, named Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata, has been officially recognised as a new global discovery following its publication in the international taxonomy journal Phytotaxa.
According to Jaya Seelan, the fungus is distinguished by its unique horn-like structure, setting it apart from related species previously found in China, Thailand and Japan.
Highlighting Sabah’s Rich Biodiversity
UMS Vice-Chancellor Kasim Mansor said the discovery reflects the university’s commitment to high-impact research and underscores Sabah’s vast and largely unexplored biodiversity.
He noted that tropical rainforest ecosystems like Danum Valley remain critical for new scientific discoveries that can contribute to global biodiversity knowledge.
The finding is also expected to pave the way for further research into the fungus’s potential applications in medicine, biotechnology and ecology.
-wilayah.com.my
