Interspecific interactions between the rare tooth fungi Creolophus cirrhatus, Hericium erinaceus and H. coralloides and other wood decay species in agar and wood.

Creolophus cirrhatus, Hericium erinaceus and H. coralloides were paired against over 20 other wood decay fungi from beech (Fagus sylvatica) covering a range of ecological strategies, on 2% malt agar (MA), 0.5% MA, 0.5% MA adjusted to -1.25 MPa by addition of KCl, 0.5% MA adjusted to pH 4 with KOH/H3PO4 and 0.5% MA under 5% O2/30% CO2 all at 20 degrees C. Creolophus cirrhatus and H. coralloides were also paired against 17 other species in wood, incubated at 20 degrees for 36-38 wk. They were average to good combatants, deadlocking with or replacing over half of the antagonists, H. erinaceus being slightly more combative than the other two species. Outcomes in wood were representative of those in agar. Abiotic conditions altered the outcomes slightly, reduced water potential favouring C. cirrhatus and H. erinaceus. Overall extension rate of C. cirrhatus and H. erinaceus often increased in the presence of antagonists. There was prolific production of fruit bodies in controls and interactions, though notably not under altered gaseous regime. Results are discussed in an ecological context.