Isolation and identification of Fungal Species from the skin of Bull frog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus): Prevalence and Ecological Implications

Areej  Fatima; Fareeha  Imran; Amina  Ayub; Rufsha Sanaullah  Cheema; Shahbaz  Ahmad; Rabia  Raiz; Maryam  Saeed; Ghulam  Qadir; Nimra  Khalid; Faiqa  Zulifqar; Mudassar  Hussain; Sehresh  Ghafoor; Mohsin  Masood; Waqas Ali

Authors

Areej Fatima Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2818-1468
Fareeha Imran Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3610-0117
Amina Ayub Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Sub Campus Depalpur, Okara, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9040-6447
Rufsha Sanaullah Cheema Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9555-7168
Shahbaz Ahmad Department of Entomology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0113-2588
Rabia Raiz Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6170-6356
Maryam Saeed Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9574-289X
Ghulam Qadir Institute of Continuing Education and Extension, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9472-8313
Nimra Khalid Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5739-1263
Faiqa Zulifqar Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2793-2056
Mudassar Hussain Microbiology Lab, Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4715-5996
Sehresh Ghafoor Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9898-2919
Mohsin Masood Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1468-7153
Waqas Ali UVAS

Keywords:

Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizopus stolonifer, Ecological role, Environmental monitoring

Abstract

Amphibians, especially frogs, play a critical role in ecosystems, acting as prey and predator and influencing nutrient cycling between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. This study aimed to isolate and identify fungal species present on the skin of the bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus) in District Kasur, Pakistan. A total of 20 bullfrogs were sampled, and mucus swabs were taken from their skin to analyze fungal communities. The swabs were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, Potato Dextrose Agar, and Brain Heart Infusion Agar. Morphological and biochemical techniques were used for the identification of fungal species. A total of 35 fungal isolates representing four species including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, and Rhizopus stolonifer were identified. Aspergillus niger (60%) was the most prevalent species, followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (50%), Rhizopus stolonifer (30%) and Aspergillus terreus (15%). It can be concluded that the presence of Aspergillus spp., may have significant effects on health of Hoplobatrachus tigerinus. However, more research is needed to determine whether these fungi are benign, symbiotic, or pathogenic in amphibians. Future studies should aim to investigate the specific interactions between these fungi and their amphibian hosts, especially under various environmental stress conditions, such as pollution or climate change.

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Isolation and identification of Fungal Species from the skin of Bull frog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus): Prevalence and Ecological Implications

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Isolation and identification of Fungal Species from the skin of Bull frog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus): Prevalence and Ecological Implications

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