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The mycorrhizal basidiomycetes are known to have multiple, independent evolutionary origins from saprotrophic ancestors. To date, a number of studies have revealed functional resemblance of mycorrhizal fungi to free-living saprotrophs, but information on the ability of saprotrophic fungi to perform as mycorrhizal symbionts is scarce. Here, the objective was to investigate the ability of three wood-decay fungi, Phlebiopsis gigantea, Phlebia centrifuga and Hypholoma fasciculare, to colonize fine roots of conifer seedlings. For each fungus, mycorrhizal syntheses were attempted with Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris. After 24 wk, isolation of fungi and direct sequencing of fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA were carried out from healthy-looking surface-sterilized root tips that yielded both pure cultures and ITS sequences of each inoculated strain. Mycelial mantle of P. gigantea was frequently formed on root tips of P. abies, and microscopical examination has shown the presence of intercellular hyphae inside the roots. The results provide evidence of the ability of certain wood-decay fungi to colonise fine roots of tree seedlings.

The biology of Inocutis dryophila (Berk.) Fiasson & Niemelä was studied on Quercus robur L. in Lithuania, based on 22 host trees. Decay columns caused by the fungus in six oaks,120–180 years old, were examined in detail by dissecting the stems. Length of the decay columns in different trees varied between 4.8 and 11 m. Vegetative compatibility tests with the isolates indicated that each rot column comprised of a single genet of the fungus, and that the rot columns in different trees represented different genets. Basidiocarps of the fungus were recorded from 0.7 to 12.5 m above the ground. Infection routes, forestry, and biodiversity aspects are discussed. Colour photographs are shown of the basidiocarp, decay of different stages, and confrontation tests among cultivated mycelia of the same and different genets.

Rare and endangered species of Aphyllophorales have been studied on Quercus robur in Lithuania. In total, 5455 trees and 742 stumps of oaks have been investigated in pure oak stands, mixed deciduous woods, mixed coniferous–deciduous woods, parks, and in open landscapes. Fungi in the herbarium BILAS (Vilnius) were examined. The ecology, distribution, and status of the following polypores are treated, viz Fistulina hepatica (Schaeff.: Fr.) With., Grifola frondosa (Dicks.: Fr) S.F.Gray, Hapalopilus croceus (Pers.: Fr.) Bond. & Sing, Inocutis dryophila (Berk) Fiasson & Niemelä, Inonotus dryadeus (Pers.: Fr.) Murr., Piptoporus quercinus (Fr.) Pilát, and Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) ex Fr. Each species is briefly described and localities are listed in detail. All species, except F. hepatica and P. quercinus, are included in the Lithuanian Red List of fungi. We suggest these two species should be added to the list, and classified according to the IUCN categories Near Threatened (NT) and Endangered (EN), respectively. The importance of saving the right type of substrate and habitat for the actual species is stressed. Thick dead, standing or fallen trees, and old stumps should not be removed, as F. hepatica, G. frondosa, H. croceus, and P. quercinus may continue to fructify for many years on this type of wood. Suppression of old host trees, formerly growing in a more open environment, is a problem at many sites. A proper clearing around these oaks is necessary to keep the oaks alive as long as possible. The necessity of favouring younger oaks of different age classes in the stands is pointed out, as a continuous supply of thick host trees is needed to preserve the fungi. Hapalopilus croceus, one of Europe’s most endangered fungi, fructifies on old thick oaks, a substrate that becomes more and more rare. All Lithuanian host trees of H. croceus are proposed to be preserved (even when dead) together with a sufficient number of oaks in the surroundings. In Sweden, which, Över 6 000 ekar och ekstubbar runt om i Litauen har svampkännarna Stellan Sunhede och Rimvydas Vasiliauskas fingranskat. De ger oss här närmare besked om hur läget är för sju av de mest sällsynta tickorna., Threatened polypores on oak in Lithuania