Basidiobolus ranarum is a microscopic fungus

Fungus

A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...

 in the order Entomophthorales

Entomophthorales

The Entomophthorales are an order of fungi that were previously classified in the class Zygomycetes. A new subphylum, Entomophthoromycotina, has recently been described for them.Most species of the Entomophthorales are pathogens of insects...

.

Life cycle

It produces large, spherical, asexual

Asexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single parent, and inherit the genes of that parent only, it is reproduction which does not involve meiosis, ploidy reduction, or fertilization. A more stringent definition is agamogenesis which is reproduction without...

 spore

Spore

In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...

s that are forcibly discharged. These spores can germinate directly to produce hyphae. When they land in an unfavorable location, they can alternately germinate to produce a long, slender capilliconidiophore that bears a single, falcate capilliconidium. At the distal tip of the capilliconidium is a sticky mucous

Mucus

In vertebrates, mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. Mucous fluid is typically produced from mucous cells found in mucous glands. Mucous cells secrete products that are rich in glycoproteins and water. Mucous fluid may also originate from mixed glands, which...

 drop that is presumed to aid in dispersal. B. ranarum can also produce thick-walled resting spores that are presumably the sites of meiosis.

B. ranarum can be isolated from decaying leaf litter and the excrement of frog

Frog

Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...

s and terrestrial, insect-eating

Insectivore

An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....

 reptile

Reptile

Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...

s. It has been considered a commensal

Commensalism

In ecology, commensalism is a class of relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits but the other is neutral...

 of frogs, although there is no evidence that it multiplies or persists in a frog's gut.

It can be a human pathogen, causing a disease called basidiobolomycosis

Basidiobolomycosis

Basidiobolomycosis is a fungal disease.It is caused by Basidiobolus ranarum.Treatment with itraconazole has been described....

(formerly entomophthoromycosis).