Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has made national scientific history with the discovery of a new indigo-blue mushroom species in Kinabalu Park, marking the first recorded discovery of its genus in Malaysia.
The rare mushroom, named Calocybe kinabaluensis sp. nov., is distinguished by its striking deep indigo-blue cap measuring between 34 and 120 millimetres in diameter, accompanied by a similarly coloured stalk, while the lamellae (gills) beneath the cap are creamy white in colour.
The newly discovered species of mushroom, which functions as a natural decomposer to enrich soil fertility, was discovered during field surveys along three major trails in Kinabalu Park, namely Bundu Tuhan, Liwagu and Silau-Silau.
The mushroom samples were first collected by Sabah Parks staff members Martinah Latim and Jamil Kasmin in February 2025 before subsequent findings were recorded in November of the same year through the Young Rangers Programme involving secondary school students from the Ranau district at Kinabalu Park.
The programme, a strategic collaboration between Sabah Parks and UMS since 2016, aims to provide exposure and educate the younger generation about Sabah’s remarkable fungal biodiversity.
The research was led by UMS mycologist Associate Professor Dr. Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan in collaboration with researchers from Sabah Parks, UMS postgraduate students and international experts from the University of Turin, Italy.
To confirm its status as a new species and distinguish it from its closest relative, Calocybe cyanella, the research team integrated DNA analysis methods through molecular phylogenetics with detailed microscopic observations.
Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj Mansor said the discovery proves that Sabah’s forests still hold biological treasures yet to be fully explored.
“This success also reflects UMS’ role as the ‘Brain of Borneo’ in spearheading biodiversity research at the global level,” he said.
The holotype specimen of the mushroom has been officially deposited and preserved in the BORNEENSIS Herbarium Collection (BORH), Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC).
The research was supported through funding under Malaysia’s 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) research grant programme.
