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Researchers have recently uncovered a perplexing finding of a frog in the verdant Western Ghats of India, with a tiny mushroom growing on its leg.
According to researchers associated with the World Wildlife Fund, this is the first recorded instance of a mushroom growing on living animal tissue.
Scientists were intrigued by online photos of a frog with a mushroom growing near its hind leg, as it had not been captured for further study.
The frog species, named Rao’s intermediate golden-backed frog (Hylarana intermedia), is a creature native to this region – one of the world’s most biodiverse.
The mushroom was determined by experts to be a Bonnet Mushroom (Mycena sp.), typically found growing on decaying wood.
A gold-backed frog, a species found in Rao’s intermediate region, has a Bonnet mushroom growing on its hind leg.
Many microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are able to thrive alongside other organisms, often in a mutually beneficial or harmless relationship.
However, there are also some types of fungi that can lead to infections in specific situations. These include the fungi responsible for athlete’s foot, yeast infections, and the oral fungal infection known as candidiasis.
According to the research published in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians, there has never been a documented instance of a mushroom growing on a live organism before.
Researchers stated that there is no record of a mushroom growing from the side of a living frog, to the best of their knowledge.
One possible reason for this could be that mushrooms need nutrients that are typically not abundant on the skin of any animal.
Scientists believe that in the most recent instance, the damp and monsoon-influenced Western Ghats may have created the perfect conditions for mushrooms to thrive, with sufficient moisture and organic material.
Upon closer examination, a golden-backed frog belonging to the Rao’s intermediate species was observed to have a mushroom growing on its leg.
The author of this text is Lohit Y.T. and it is from the organization WWF-India.
The specific type of mushroom that is growing on the frog and whether it is harmful or harmless, as well as how deep it has penetrated the skin, is currently unknown.
This may be a potential issue because numerous frogs and various other amphibian species around the globe are currently endangered by a different parasitic fungus known as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, also referred to as the chytrid fungus.
The presence of Chytrid fungus has resulted in a consistent decrease in amphibian populations worldwide. This is due to the disruption of the skin’s water and salt balance, leading to eventual heart failure.
New research indicates that the fungus responsible for killing amphibians is found in small amounts in areas with high concentrations of frogs in India.
Source: independent.co.uk
