Guwahati, July 2 -- Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have confirmed the presence of Aquilaria khasiana-a Critically Endangered agarwood-producing tree species-in Assam's Jeypore Reserve Forest.

Previously believed to be endemic to Meghalaya, this marks the first officially recorded occurrence of the species in Assam.

The findings, published in Scientific Reports, represent a breakthrough in both conservation and plant taxonomy. Researchers used a combination of morphological analysis and DNA barcoding to verify the species' identity and successfully sequenced its complete chloroplast genome for the first time.

"This study reports a new distribution record for A. khasiana in Assam," the researchers wrote, noting the d...