UMS Scientists Discover World’s First ‘Horned’ Fungus Species

By Danial Martinus • 13 Apr 2026 in News

Thirsty for JUICE content? Quench your cravings on our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp

(source: Elyse Yang via Institute For Tropical Biology & Conservation / Facebook)

Researchers at Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Institute For Tropical Biology & Conservation (ITBC) have announced the discovery of the world’s first horned fungus species.

Dubbed Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata, the new fungus species was discovered in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

The result of developing young researcher talent

The newly discovered species was confirmed to be the first of its kind after the team at the ITBC published their findings on Phyototaxa, an international taxonomy journal.

The odd looking fungus is distinguished by its unique horn-shaped structure, making it truly one of a kind when compared to 26 other pleurocordyceps species previously seen in China, Thailand, and Japan.

“In addition to this new world species, our team also recorded two other fungi, Pleurocordyceps aurantiaca and Pleurocordyceps nipponica, which are being reported for the first time in Malaysia,” said Associate Professor Dr. Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan.

The research team led by Dr. Jaya Seelan also comprises two postgraduate students Muhammad Shahbaz (PhD) and Firdza Zulkarnain Mohadden (Master’s), along with citizen scientist Elyse Yang and collaborators from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Dr. Yap Jing Wei and PhD student Jeremiah Sia Yiao Rong.

To check out their findings in Phytotaxa, click here.