Mystery of common mushroom growing from an amphibian shows how little we know about fungi > News Clips

Mystery of common mushroom growing from an amphibian shows how little we know about fungi

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Fungi are fascinating and integral parts of the web of life. They also have a bit of a mixed reputation.

On one hand, mushrooms and networks of fungal roots are sought-after sources of nutritionally rich food, mind-altering drugs and eco-friendly materials — and they help trees share nutrients and store carbon in a way that might fight climate change.

Other members of the fungi family tree are less desirable and act as disease-causing pathogens that can disrupt ecosystems and blight human and animal health.

But a newly described mystery involving a mushroom and a frog suggests that fungi’s role in the environment is anything but black-and-white.

Once upon a planet
A golden-backed frog is seen with a small mushroom (right) growing out of its body. - Lohit Y T
A golden-backed frog is seen with a small mushroom (right) growing out of its body. - Lohit Y T
Some naturalists stumbled upon a strange sight within a roadside pond in the Indian state of Karnataka in June 2023: a golden-backed frog with a tiny mushroom sprouting from its flank.

The team photographed the seemingly healthy amphibian and reported the discovery. Examining the images, an expert identified the mushroom as a common bonnet, a type of fungus that mostly grows on rotting wood.

It’s not clear why the mushroom made the frog its home. The odd growth could be the result of a fungal infection, which is common in frogs, or evidence of a symbiotic relationship.


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https://www.yahoo.com/news/mystery-common-mushroom-growing-amphibian-160023540.html

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