In a puzzling discovery, a group of naturalists in Karnataka, India, noticed tiny mushrooms growing from golden-backed frogs. According to a study published in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians, researchers have never seen a mushroom growing from the flank of a living frog.
The magazine revealed more about the discovery, saying, “The frog was alive and moving. Mycologists later identified the mushroom as a bonnet mushroom, which is known to be saprophytic. , which mainly occurs in rotting wood.''
Rohit YT, a river and wetland expert at the World Wildlife Fund in Bangalore, told CNN: “The first time I observed a frog with a mushroom, I was surprised and intrigued by the sight. The idea was to document this phenomenon.” “We were hoping this was a rare event and not a danger to the frogs.”
Rohit said the naturalist observed the frog's movements, turning and changing its position, but the mushroom remained perfectly in place. (Also read: Himalayan lynx, leopard kite fish: 5 extremely rare animals that surprised the world)
Rohit also took to Instagram to share about this frog with mushrooms growing on it. Talking about this interesting discovery, he wrote, “This observation is the first of its kind and occurred in the foothills of the Kudremkha range in the Western Ghats, Karkala taluk, Karnataka.”
See his post here.
Alyssa Weterau-Kaganer, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Public Ecosystem Health at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, called the findings “interesting.”
She told CNN, “Fungi are dynamic organisms that adapt to changing environments, and exposure to new potential hosts in different environments and climates allows fungi to grow in places we didn't previously expect.” may proliferate,” he said. (Also read: Muta river banks have lost more than 200 plant species in the past 66 years: study)
He also said that it is difficult to predict the frog's fate without examining its condition, adding that “healthy frogs can tolerate mild colonization of the skin by this fungus without adverse health effects.” Fungal infections in frogs are very common, but if mushrooms grow extensively on the skin or burrow inside an animal, the animal may show signs of a fungal disease. may indicate.”
