Researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan have identified a new species of cyanobacteria from Pushkar Lake in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The organism has been named Pushkarnema CURAJAE, with the genus name linked to Pushkar Lake and the species name linked to the Central University of Rajasthan.
Discovery Site And Collection
Samples for the study were collected from Pushkar Sarovar during field visits in 2016 and 2021. Pushkar Lake is a religious lake in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan, and it has been studied less extensively for microbial diversity than many other freshwater habitats.
Scientific Classification
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes that occur in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial habitats. They are placed among bacteria and are known for oxygenic photosynthesis, which uses chlorophyll-a and releases oxygen.
Research And Publication
The study was led by Professor Pawan K. Dadheech, a microbiologist at CURAJ. The findings were published in the international journal Fottea, which is based in the Czech Republic.
Exam-Relevant Features
- Pushkarnema CURAJAE is a newly identified cyanobacterial taxon from India.
- The discovery includes a new genus, which is a rarer taxonomic finding than a new species alone.
- Cyanobacteria are studied for their roles in nitrogen fixation, biofertiliser development, and bioactive compound production.
- Freshwater lakes in arid and semi-arid regions can contain specialised microbial communities adapted to high temperature, salinity, and nutrient stress.
Potential Applications
Cyanobacterial research is used in studies on biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and nutrient supplements. Some cyanobacteria are also examined for compounds that may be used in agriculture and environmental biotechnology.
Pushkar Lake Context
Pushkar Lake is located in Ajmer district and is associated with Hindu pilgrimage traditions. The lake lies in a semi-arid zone of Rajasthan, where microbial surveys have been limited in comparison with larger aquatic ecosystems.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026