In a fascinating discovery that sounds like it’s straight out of a fairy tale, scientists in Karnataka, India have discovered a rare phenomenon: a mushroom growing from the side of a living frog. Researchers made this unusual observation in June 2023, sparking curiosity and wonder among the scientific community and beyond.
The frog, spotted in the lush landscapes of Mala Karkala, Karnataka, appeared to be healthy and active despite its unique condition. The mushroom, identified as a Bonnet Mushroom (Mycena sp.), typically thrives on rotting wood, not living creatures. What makes this truly special is that this is the first recorded occurrence of a mushroom sprouting from a living amphibian, presenting a curious intersection between the animal and fungal kingdoms.
“We encountered about 40 Rao’s Intermediate Golden-backed Frogs in a small roadside rainwater-fed pond. One individual perched on a twig had a dis-tinct outgrowth on its left flank. A closer examination clearly revealed a mushroom sprouting from its side,” the team writes in the journal Reptiles & Amphibians.
Fungi, including mushrooms, play essential roles in ecosystems, from breaking down organic matter to forming symbiotic relationships with plants. However, some fungi can be parasitic. In amphibians, the notorious fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has caused widespread disease and decline in populations. Yet, the discovery in Karnataka offers a more benign, if not bewildering, example of fungal-animal interaction.
“Recent studies have shown that this amphibian killer is present in low levels in all of the frog hotspots across India,” the team adds.