Unprecedented Discovery: Frog in India Found with Rare Mushroom Growth

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During a observation of a group of golden-backed frogs at a roadside pond in Karnataka, India, naturalists came across an unusual sight - one of the amphibians had a small mushroom growing from its side.

Scientists are puzzled by how a seemingly healthy frog developed a fungi companion, a phenomenon that has never been seen before. This unique occurrence was documented in a note published in January in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians.

Lohit Y T, a rivers and wetlands specialist with World Wildlife Fund-India in Bengaluru, expressed amazement and intrigue upon first observing the frog with the mushroom. Y T, who was part of the group that made the discovery, emphasized the importance of documenting this rare incident to ensure it was not a harmful phenomenon for the frog.

The species Hylarana intermedia, also known as Rao’s intermediate golden-backed frog, is commonly found in abundance in the southwestern Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala. These frogs are small in size, reaching a maximum length of only 2.9 inches (7.4 centimeters).

As the naturalists observed the frog with the fungal growth, they noticed the animal moving from the center of the twig it was perched on to the very tip. Despite changing positions and turning around, the mushroom remained perfectly in place, as reported by Y T. The group refrained from touching the frog during their observation.

The frog moved from the center of the twig it sat upon to the very tip, turning around and changing positions, but the mushroom remained perfectly in place, Y T said.

The frog moved from the center of the twig it sat upon to the very tip, turning around and changing positions, but the mushroom remained perfectly in place, Y T said.

Lohit Y T

The authors discovered the amphibian in June 2023 and did not collect it, so neither the cause of the phenomenon nor the fate of the frog is known.

Mycologists later identified the mushroom growing out of the frog’s flank as a common bonnet, part of the Mycena genus. This type of fungi mostly grows on rotting wood from dead trees, as noted by the authors in the published paper. The fungus, known as a saprotrophic decomposer, typically obtains its nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter. Interestingly, a 2023 study revealed that the mushroom could evolve to thrive on living plants as well.

The 2023 study also suggested that the Mycena fungus has the potential to develop a symbiotic relationship with living plants or trees. In such a relationship, both the plant and the fungus growing on it would benefit - the fungi would both take nutrients from and transfer them to the plant host. The authors further mentioned that in trees, Mycena could be beneficial by pruning dead branches.

The prognosis of the frog with the mushroom hitchhiker is unknown, but there are a handful of theories as to the cause of its condition.

Fate of the mushroom frog

Upon coming across the image of a frog with a mushroom growing on its side, Alyssa Wetterau Kaganer, a postdoctoral associate in the department of public and ecosystem health at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, was captivated by the finding.

2JWF1YB Large female Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) on her web in Snellville (Metro Atlanta), Georgia. (USA)

2JWF1YB Large female Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) on her web in Snellville (Metro Atlanta), Georgia. (USA)

Steve Allen/Alamy Stock Photo

According to a recent study, the invasive Jorō spider has shown a surprising tolerance for busy urban settings.

In an email, it was mentioned that fungi are adaptable organisms that can thrive in new environments and climates, even growing in unexpected places due to exposure to different hosts.

While it is difficult to predict the fate of the frog without further study of its condition, it is possible that “an otherwise healthy frog may be able to withstand mild colonization of its skin by this fungus without any adverse health effects,” Kaganer said. Fungal infections in frogs are very common, however, and if the mushroom were to “grow extensively on the skin or burrow within the animal’s body, the animal may develop signs of a fungal disease,” she added. Kaganer was not involved with the discovery.

There are many types of fungi that can infect frogs, and it is possible there are fungus-frog interactions yet to be discovered. A frog with signs of fungal disease, such as “altered behavior of the frog” or “skin damage including ulceration or tumor-like nodules,” has an infection that can often result in death for at least some of the infected animals, Kaganer said.

Only 12 millimeters long, but louder than 140 decibels: Danionella cerebrum.

Only 12 millimeters long, but louder than 140 decibels: Danionella cerebrum.

Senckenberg/Britz

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Anything unusual, such as a fungal growth like this, raises concerns for frog species, according to Karthikeyan Vasudevan, chief scientist at the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species in Telangana, India. Vasudevan, who was not involved in the discovery, expressed surprise at the finding.

In an email, Vasudevan emphasized the challenges of identifying sick animals in the wild, noting their low chances of survival. He stressed the importance of further observations and screening of frogs in response to such discoveries.

Vasudevan initially mistook the mushroom for being stuck on the frog's skin, but upon closer inspection of photos, he realized it was actually a live mushroom growing on the frog. He suggested that there may be a small piece of woody debris under the frog's skin that has sprouted the mushroom.

The growth of the mushroom on the frog may be attributed to chytrid disease, a condition caused by a fungus.

India is currently grappling with an outbreak of chytridiomycosis, a disease that is devastating frog populations. This fungal infection is impacting over 700 species of amphibians globally. The authors of a recent report noted that the disease has been detected in various frog hotspots throughout India.

Chytrid disease exemplifies the interaction between amphibians and fungi. However, the authors are uncertain about any potential connection to this finding, according to Y T.

Kaganer, a researcher studying the disease, reassured that the specific type of mushroom in question is not closely related to the fungus species that cause chytridiomycosis. Therefore, there is no direct concern that this mushroom is a sign of chytridiomycosis. However, there is a possibility that a frog with Mycena mushroom might have altered susceptibility to a chytrid infection.

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The frog with the mushroom in its side may experience either increased susceptibility to chytridiomycosis due to being compromised by the Mycena, or it could be more immune as the Mycena could have boosted the frog's immune system, according to the researcher.

“We don’t have any hope of pursuing the frog, as this is not a common phenomenon,” Y T said. The authors plan to revisit the spot during the next monsoon season, when the weather is warm and rainy and the frogs are most abundant, he added.

Y T expressed optimism about the possibility of finding the spot, stating that it would be a great discovery. The area has attracted numerous enthusiasts and experts, making it an ideal location for further investigation. However, Y T acknowledged that the chances of a researcher uncovering the spot are slim.

Editor's P/S:

The discovery of a frog with a mushroom growing from its side is both fascinating and perplexing. It raises questions about the interactions between amphibians and fungi, and the potential implications for frog populations. While it is unclear what caused this unusual phenomenon, it highlights the importance of further research on the relationship between these two organisms.

The article also underscores the challenges of studying wildlife in the wild. The frog with the mushroom was discovered during a routine observation, and it is unlikely that the researchers will be able to locate it again. This highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and observation of wildlife populations, as well as the importance of documenting unusual occurrences that may provide valuable insights into the natural world.