Mucor amphibiorum
| Mucor amphibiorum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Mucoromycota |
| Class: | Mucoromycetes |
| Order: | Mucorales |
| Family: | Mucoraceae |
| Genus: | Mucor |
| Species: | M. amphibiorum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mucor amphibiorum Schipper[1]
| |
Mucor amphibiorum is a fungus found in Australia that causes infections in amphibians and platypuses. Because M. amphibiorum belongs to the genus Mucor, the infection is classified as a form of mucormycosis. The fungus was first reported from a German zoo in 1972 where it caused disease in a species of green tree frog that was imported from Australia and infected frogs, toads, and salamanders in neighboring exhibits.[2] It is most commonly found in frogs and toads in Queensland, New South Wales, and Northern Territory, and in platypuses in Tasmania.[2]
Morphology
Colonies grow up to 25 mm in height, are grayish brown, slightly aromatic, and will not grow at temperatures of 37 °Celsius. Sporangiophores are unbranched, or rarely sympodially branched. Sporangia are dark brown and up to 75 μm in diameter. Sporangiospores are globose, smooth walled, and 3.4 – 5.4 μm in diameter. Zygospores are globose or slightly compressed and 60 – 70 μm in diameter.[3]
References
- ^ "Record Details: Mucor amphibiorum Schipper". Index Fungorum. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
- ^ a b Connolly, Joanne H (2015). "Mucormycosis in the platypus and amphibians caused by Mucor amphibiorum". Microbiology Australia. 36 (2): 83. doi:10.1071/MA15027. ISSN 1324-4272.
- ^ Schipper, M. A. A. (1978). (1). On certain species of Mucor with a key to all accepted species. (2). On the genera Rhizomucor and Parasitella.