Prelims: Environment (Species-special characteristics), Golden Backed Frog, Bonnet Mushroom
Mains: General Studies-III, Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Why in the News ?
Scientists discovered a frog in Western Ghat which seems to have a mushroom growing out of its side.
Source: IE
Key Facts 🗝️
- Endemic: Western Ghats of Karnataka and Kerala, specifically above the Palghat Gap, where it is known to thrive in relative abundance.
- Habitat: Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests in the Western Ghats of India.
About:
Golden-backed Frog:
- These frogs prefer to reside near streams, ponds, and other water bodies, where they can lay their eggs and find their food.
- Food: Insectivorous and feed on a range of small insects and arthropods such as ants, beetles, and crickets.
- Threats: habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution of water bodies, and the introduction of non-native species.
Bonnet Mushroom:
- It is commonly found as a saprotroph (an organism that feeds on non-living organic matter) on rotting wood.
- It belongs to the Mycena genus.
- Mycenas are hard to identify to species and some are distinguishable only by microscopic features such as the shape of the cystidia.
- Some species are edible, while others contain toxins.
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Prelims: PYQ/FAQ
Q. With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:
1. It is a fungus.
2. It grows in some Himalayan Forest areas.
3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 3 only
C) 1 and 2
D) 2 and 3
Answer: c. 1 and 2
Explaination:
- Guchhi mushroom is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota. They are pale yellow in colour with large pits and ridges on the surface of the cap, raised on a large white stem.
- It is grown in the foothills of Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Jammu and Kashmir.
- The mushrooms cannot be cultivated commercially and grow in conifer forests across temperature regions. It takes months for villagers to collect enough of these mushrooms, dry them and bring them to the market. These mushrooms are also replete with health benefits. They are rich in potassium, vitamins and copper. They are also a rich source of vitamin D apart from several B-vitamins
