a Observations of Trametes spp. retrieved from MyCoPortal and GBIF, based on herbarium specimens and citizen science observations b The study area (Benin) in the western part of Africa (highlighted in black) c Locations of the sampling sites within macroclimatic zones, which are delimited by black lines. The circles in orange indicate respectively from bottom to top the sampling sites: dry dense forest of Pahou, dense semi-deciduous forest of Lama, woodlands of Kilibo, woodlands of Ouémé Superieur, Trois Rivières woodland, and savanna ecosystems of the national park W.

Macromorphology of Trametes species in Benin and specimen numbers in parentheses. A Trametes cingulata B hymenophore of Trametes cingulata (10) C Trametes flavida D hymenophore of Trametes flavida (05) E Trametes lactinea F hymenophore of Trametes lactinea (01) G Trametes palisotii H hymenophore of Trametes palisotii (04) I Trametes parvispora J hymenophore of Trametes parvispora (04) K Trametes polyzona L hymenophore of Trametes polyzona (06) M Trametes sanguinea (04) N Trametes aff. versicolor (01) O Trametes socotrana P hymenophore of Trametes socotrana (02). Scale bar corresponds to 1cm except in E, F where it corresponds to 2 cm.

ML phylogeny of Trametes spp. based on combined ITS-LSU dataset. Branch support values given as PP/BS. All clades where newly generated sequences clustered are highlighted in grey and bars with names are given beside for more readability. Taxon names are followed by voucher or stain number and country of origin.

Crossection of the hymenium at the base of a pore of Trametes parvispora. Basidiospores, hyphae, basidia, basidioles, and a hyphal peg are showing. The box (lower left corner) shows the location (small rectangle) of the line drawing in the cross-section of the hymenophore. Scale bar = 10 μm

ML phylogeny of Trametes elegans species complex based on combined dataset of four-gene regions (ITS, RPB1, RPB2, TEF1). Branch support values given as PP/BS. Sequences of T. elegans from tropical Africa investigated in this study are highlighted in grey.