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

Sporangiophore, sporangium, and spores of Mucor specimen.

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

1. "Record Details: Mucor amphibiorum Schipper". Index Fungorum. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
2. 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.
3. 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.