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Subsequent genetic analysis of isolates of Coriolus versicolor from fruit body tissue, single basidiospores and wood isolates from defined spatial locations within a birch stump confirmed that adjacent decay columns separated by narrow undecayed zones each contained a distinct, pure
dikaryon. Each dikaryon was antagonistic towards all its neighbors, but the monokaryons derived from its basidiospores produced compatible matings with those from all these same neighbors. Similar observations followed with other fungi, including the birch polypore, Piptoporus betulinus (Fr.) Karst. (3, 4) and Stereum hirsutum (56) (TABLE 1). Taken together with evidence from previous work, these results caused me and Norman Todd to propose a con-
cept of the "individualistic mycelium" (104, 106-108, 131). This envisaged somatic rejection responses as a mechanism maintaining the identity
of individual mycelia within natural populations by preventing physiological integration with others of different genetic origin. In outcrossing ba-
sidiomycete populations, these individuals are secondary mycelia; in ascomycetes they are typically homokaryons.

Notwithstanding the long history of evidence supporting it, the concept was contrary with what we understood to be the established wisdom at that time, that hypha! fusions generated physiologically unified, co-operative genetic mosaics in natural populations. The latterview had largely been based on studies of both C. versicolor and P. betulinus which had followed up ideas generated by the observations of Buller with a non-outcrossing basidiomycete, Coprinus sterquilinus Fr.: Fr. By the late 1970s such a view would have been hard to sustain in the face of ideas of selfish genes and the demise of group selection in evolutionary theory.

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No Lame Gin said:

On this related thread https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/21269497/fpart/4/vc/1, I found this very interesting article on Pholiota nameko showing formation of chimera fruiting body by two selected dikaryons with different phenotypes. Subsequent grow of chimera clone gave back the different phenotypes, so they concluded that there was no anastomosis but an aggregation of different dikaryon in different amount in the fruiting body. It's a bit old and I don't know if it is a well established result that I can't completely figure out or a poorly explored question, but there is not a lot of sources on this topic.

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bbb/67/1/67_1_100/_pdf/-char/en

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