LaCONES Hyderabad Detects Deadly Amphibian Fungus Across India

Researchers at Hyderabad’s Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES-CCMB) have detected the presence of an amphibian-killing fungus across India’s major biodiversity hotspots, shedding light on a long-standing mystery behind unexplained population declines among frogs.

For years, conservation biologists observed puzzling population dips among amphibians along the Western Ghats and the mountain ranges of the Himalayas. While experts previously attributed these declines to routine monsoon shifts and seasonal animal behaviour, molecular investigations revealed the involvement of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a deadly fungus known to push frog species toward extinction.

Across India’s primary biodiversity hotspots, sensitive stream-dwelling species such as the endangered white-lipped cricket frog and various endemic toads had shown subtle, unexplained population decreases. To investigate the threat, scientists at LaCONES-CCMB conducted a nationwide molecular survey, hand-catching nearly 1,870 amphibians across 147 locations. Researchers collected microscopic fungal traces from the skin of the frogs before releasing them unharmed.

The findings offer crucial insights alongside a measure of relief for environmentalists. While the killer fungus was detected across key biodiversity zones, researchers found that the region functions as a natural safe zone where overall infection rates remain low. Genetic mapping revealed that roughly 80 per cent of the fungal strains identified in India are native, indicating an ancient history in which local frogs and the fungus adapted to live side by side.

An amphibian’s skin is vital to its survival, allowing the animal to breathe, absorb water, and maintain its electrolyte balance. When the fungus infects a host, even mild cases cause the skin to thicken, which eventually leads to fatal heart failure.

To track the pathogen without disrupting wildlife, the Hyderabad researchers also deployed environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance. By testing routine water samples taken from forest streams, scientists can identify invisible traces of the fungus left in the water. This surveillance technique equips forest departments with an early-warning mechanism to monitor vulnerable habitats and prevent mass frog deaths.