Scientists made a surprising discovery in the foothills of the Western Ghats in India — a mushroom growing out of the side of a frog. This observation marks the first time a mushroom has been observed growing out of a living being.
Discovery Details:
- On June 19, 2023, researchers found several “Rao’s Golden-backed frogs” in a rainwater-fed pond in the foothills of the Kudremukha ranges at Mala, Karkala, in Karnataka.
- One of the frogs had a white-colored growth emerging from its right side, later identified as a mushroom.
- The frog was not captured; instead, researchers documented it in a note published in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians.
Identification of the Mushroom:
- Fungus experts identified the growth as a Bonnet mushroom, typically found on dead and rotting wood.
- This instance is unique as it’s the first documented case of a mushroom growing on a living organism.
Concerns Raised:
- There are concerns about the discovery due to existing threats like Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which poses a significant risk to amphibian populations worldwide.
- The growth of the mushroom and its impact on the frog remain unclear, raising questions about potential risks to the frog’s health.
Theories and Hypotheses:
- Various theories exist regarding how the mushroom began growing on the frog, considering the humid conditions of the Western Ghats.
- Christoffer Bugge Harder suggests the possibility of Mycena (bonnet mushroom) growing on living roots, shifting from a symbiotic to a parasitic relationship.
Need for Further Research:
- Sydney Glassman emphasizes the need for more evidence, including spore and genetic samples, to conclusively identify the growth as a mushroom and understand its implications.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Where was the surprising discovery of a mushroom growing on a frog made?
- a) Western Europe
- b) Western Ghats, India
- c) Amazon Rainforest
- d) Great Barrier Reef
- Answer: b) Western Ghats, India
- What type of mushroom was identified growing on the frog?
- a) Shiitake mushroom
- b) Bonnet mushroom
- c) Morel mushroom
- d) Chanterelle mushroom
- Answer: b) Bonnet mushroom
- Why is this discovery concerning to researchers?
- a) It poses a threat to frog populations due to existing fungal infections.
- b) It challenges existing theories about mushroom growth.
- c) It suggests a new form of symbiotic relationship.
- d) It confirms the presence of a new species of frog.
- Answer: a) It poses a threat to frog populations due to existing fungal infections.
- What is Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis known for?
- a) Causing sporadic deaths in frog populations
- b) Being a symbiotic organism
- c) Promoting the growth of mushrooms
- d) Protecting amphibians from infections
- Answer: a) Causing sporadic deaths in frog populations
- What do researchers need to conclusively identify the growth as a mushroom?
- a) More evidence like spore and genetic samples
- b) A captured frog specimen
- c) Observation of the growth over a longer period
- d) Collaboration with international researchers
- Answer: a) More evidence like spore and genetic samples