In a series of paired interactions, the most competitive fungus was Phlebiopsis flavidoalba, which is the top fungus in the upper right corner of the photo.
Furthermore, a primer specific for the competitive fungus Sphaerosporella brunnea was designed and added to the multiplex PCR set, allowing the detection of the Tuber species and the contaminant fungus in a one-step reaction.
Influence of hyphal inoculum potential on the competitive success of fungi colonizing wood.
Though fungal melanins are not essential for normal growth, they enhance survival and competitive abilities of fungi in stressful environments [10], [11].
The hypothesis holds that dead creatures caused by mass extinctions were rich in carbon but poor in nitrogen, so direct capture of nitrogen rich living animals would give predatory fungi a competitive advantage over strictly saprophytic fungi [ 11].
Predatory fungi gained a competitive advantage over strict saprobes by predating tiny animals when available organic matter decreased during the ecosystem recovery [ 9].
In the leaf-cutter ant Acromyrmex, competitive conflict between genetically distinct fungus clones is apparently prevented through behavioral recognition and removal of non-native fungi by the ants [36], [50].
It is conceivable that suppression of substrate competitors by this fungicidal substance may account at least in part for the strong competitive saprophytic ability of this fungus in soil.
The dung of herbivores, the natural habitat of the model mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea, is a nutrient-rich but also very competitive environment for a saprophytic fungus.
One key factor allowing these weaker species to survive was that the fungi exhibited many different competitive strategies; essentially, it turns out there is no overall "best" strategy.
