Researchers Discover Mushroom Growing On A Frog’s Back in Western Ghats

Researchers from the World Wildlife Fund launched a trip to study amphibians and reptiles in the wet foothills of the Western Ghats in India. The mission was originally to explore biodiversity, but it was altered when they discovered a finding that made it harder to distinguish between plants and animals. Scientific curiosity was piqued by this fascinating discovery.

In the jungles of the Western Ghats, Lohit Vaity, an expert from the World Wildlife Fund in India, and his colleagues discovered a variety of frogs and other creatures. The New York Times reports that they saw several golden-backed frogs close to the road, and Lohit noticed one of the frogs perched on a tree limb.

It was unexpected for researcher Lohit to see a little mushroom growing on the frog’s back since mushrooms typically do not grow on mammals. The Reptiles and Amphibians Journal reported this well recognized discovery by Lohit.

Mycologists speculate that the fungus responsible for the mushroom development may have discovered sufficient nutrients on the frog’s skin to support the formation of a mushroom. This implies that the fungus has adapted via evolution to live in strange situations, obfuscating the distinctions between various habitats and demonstrating the adaptability of life.

The Rao’s intermediate golden-backed frog is the main topic of discussion in this article. This amphibian is yellow-colored and named after the biologist who discovered it in 1937. This frog and many others were discovered by researchers in June 2023 in a little, rain-filled pond beside the road. One frog with an odd growth on its left side was visible to them as it sat on a twig. Upon closer inspection, they saw a fungus sprouting from its flank. The frog was alive and moving around, which surprised me.

Concerning Mushrooms and Fungi

Not many fungi can develop into mushrooms. Generally, fungal spores develop on a surface to form mycelia, which are cells that resemble threads. These mycelia become mushrooms if they get adequate nourishment. But the way the mushroom developed on the frog’s skin is peculiar. It was decided by the researchers not to remove it for more analysis.

Fungi may grow in a variety of settings, including those containing living things. Human skin, for instance, is naturally covered with fungi that resemble yeast. However, certain fungus, such as chytrid or Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, may be dangerous to frogs and result in deadly illnesses. According to experts, the fungus found on the frog’s back doesn’t seem to be harmful. Nevertheless, comprehensive information is still lacking.