A new stalk-eyed fly: Teleopsis sorora

Stalk-eyed flies have eyestalks on which their eyes are mounted. These projections stick out from the sides of the head. Both males and females have eyestalks, but hey are much longer in males. Species are growing up to a cm in length and are known to feed on both decaying plants and animals.

Todays new species was found around Kandy, a major city in Sri Lanka. It is considered the sister species of Teleopsis ferruginea, hence the name sorora (sister).

For the experts: The literature on Sri Lankan Diopsidae is reviewed. Eight Diopsidae are now known to occur in Sri Lanka, five species in the genus Teleopsis and one species each in the genera Sphyracephala, Diopsis, and Cyrtodiopsis. The presence of Cyrtodiopsis requires confirmation to exclude the possibility of mislabelling. All five Teleopsis species are endemic, as are the Diopsis species and probably the Cyrtodiopsis species. Only Sphyracephala bipunctipennis Senior-White has a larger distribution as it also occurs in India. A key is presented for the Diopsidae of Sri Lanka. Three Teleopsis species were already known to occur in Sri Lanka: T. ferruginea Röder, T. krombeini Feijen and T. maculata Feijen. These species form the T. ferruginea species group. Two new species are now described for this group: Teleopsis neglecta sp. nov. and Teleopsis sorora sp. nov. Teleopsis ferruginea is redescribed, as an earlier redescription turned out to be based on a series of specimens of its sister species T. sorora sp. nov. The other three Diopsidae of Sri Lanka are listed and illustrated. Allometric aspects of the five Teleopsis species are discussed. Three Teleopsis species are sexually dimorphic with regard to eye span, while two species are monomorphic. It is assumed that sexual dimorphism developed independently in the T. ferruginea species group. This brings the number of known cases of independent development of sexual dimorphism in the Diopsidae to ten.

A new fish: Lucifuga gibarensis

Lucifuga is a genus of cusk-eels that give birth to young that developed within their mothers body.  Most of the species are native to caves and sinkholes in Cuba and the Bahamas. There is one exception, a species that was found in deep waters off the Galapagos Islands.

The new species was found in an isolated karst patch of marine caves in Eastern Cuba. It was named after the village of Gibara, where the three caves inhabited by this species are located.

For the experts: Recently, a barcoding study and a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Cuban species of the cave-fish genus Lucifuga Poey, 1858 revealed the existence of different evolutionary lineages that were previously unknown or passed unnoticed by morphological scrutiny (i.e., cryptic candidate species). In the present study, Lucifuga gibarensis is described as a new species restricted to anchialine caves in the northeastern karst region of the main island. The species was earlier described as a variety of Lucifuga dentata, but since the name was introduced as a variety after 1960, it is deemed to be infrasubspecific and unavailable according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Art. 15.2. The new species differs from L. dentata by pigmented eyes vs. eyes absent and lack of palatine teeth vs. present. Lucifuga gibarensis seems to be most similar to the Bahamian species L. lucayana by showing pigmented eyes, 13 or 14 precaudal vertebrae and ten caudal fin rays. However, differs from it by a larger size of the pigmented eye (1.1–1.9 vs. 0.9–1.0% SL) and number of posterior lateral line neuromasts (30–33 vs. 34–35).

Two new carpenter bees: Xylocopa auriventris and Xylocopa romeroi

Carpenter bees got their name from their nesting behavior. Most of them burrow into hard plant material such as dead wood or bamboo and lay their eggs into the chamber. These bees are important pollinators for open-faced or shallow flowers. In fact for some species they are the only pollinators, e.g. for maypop (Passiflora incarnata) and Orphium. No other insect visits those.

Todays two new species were found in the Risaralda and the Valle del Cauca Departments of Colombia. 

Xylocopa auriventris was named after the colour of its abdomen (from the Latin words aureus (gold) and ventris (venter). The name Xylocopa romeroi honours the biologist Germán Villamizar Romero, father of the first author.

For the experts: A synopsis of the metallic carpenter bees Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria Lepeletier in Colombia is presented. Eleven species were recognized: X. dimidiata Latreille, X. ecuadorica Cockerell, X. lateralis Say, X. lucida Smith, X. metallica Smith, X. muscaria (Fabricius), X. ornata Smith, X. viridis Smith, and X. simillima Smith, being this latter a new record for the country. In addition, two new species are described: X. auriventris n. sp. and X. romeroi n. sp. from the Colombian Andean and Pacific region, respectively. To stabilize the application of some names, lectotypes were designated for X. binotata Pérez (=X. lateralis), X. muscaria, X. ornata, X. simillima and X. viridis. Diagnoses, descriptions, comments, floral records, distribution maps, figures and an identification key are also provided.

A (not so) new fish: Microcanthus joyceae

You might have seen this group of fishes in pictures and videos from coral reefs and sometimes in a reef aquarium although this would be a rather rare sight. They are called stripey for obvious reasons and are also known as footballer or convict fish. 

This species is re-described as the taxonomy of the genus Microcanthus has been debated for a long time. The original description is from 1931 and the name was chosen to honour Joyce K. Allan, who provided the author with illustrations of this species for the original description.

For the experts: The taxonomy and classification of the microcanthid fish genus Microcanthus Swainson has been a subject of contention dating back to the 19th century. Its allopatric, disjunct anti-equatorial distribution across the Indo-West Pacific has resulted in the recognition of several nominal taxa, though these have been widely regarded as synonyms of Microcanthus strigatus (Cuvier). Following the results published in a companion study elsewhere by the authors, the taxonomy of Microcanthus and the validity of these nominal synonyms are herewith revised. Microcanthus strigatus is redescribed on the basis of 66 specimens from East Asia, Hawaii and Western Australia, and M. joyceae is resurrected and redescribed on the basis of 25 specimens from eastern Australia and the southwest Pacific. Microcanthus differs from other microcanthid genera in having the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays XI,15–17 (usually XI,16); anal-fin rays III,13–15 (usually III,14); pectoral-fin rays 15–17 (usually 16); scales ctenoid with ctenial bases present; lateral-line scales partially or heavily obscured by adjacent scales; and body pale in preservation with five horizontal dark stripes reaching the posterior edges of dorsal and anal fins, and base of caudal fin. The review is accompanied by a key to the genera of Microcanthidae.

A new toad: Megophrys chishuiensis

A couple of months ago I posted about Litter frogs (Family Megophryidae) which live in South East Asia. They are mostly famous for their camouflage which makes many of them look like dead leaves. A widely known species is the long nosed horned frog. 

There is another new species from China this time found in the Chishui National Nature Reserve, Guizhou province. The species name refers to the location this species was found.

For the experts: A new species of the genus Megophrys is described from Guizhou Province, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA sequences all strongly supported the new species as an independent clade sister to M. minor and M. jiangi. The new species could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate (SVL 43.4–44.1 mm in males, and 44.8–49.8 mm in females; vomerine teeth absent; tongue not notched behind; a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of each upper eyelid; tympanum distinctly visible, rounded; two metacarpal tubercles on palm; relative finger lengths II < I < V < III; toes without webbing; heels overlapping when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; tibiotarsal articulation reaching the level between tympanum and eye when leg stretched forward; in breeding males, an internal single subgular vocal sac in male, and the nuptial pads with black spines on dorsal surface of bases of the first two fingers.

A new grass fern: Actinostachys minuta

The grass ferns (Schizaeaceae) are a family of ferns mainly found in the tropics. Most of them are rather small plants and the new species is a so-called epiphyte which means it grows on the trunk of a tree fern. It was found on Mindanao Island, Philippines. The species name refers to is small size even compared to other members of the genus. 

For the experts: Actinostachys minuta Amoroso & Coritico (Schizaeaceae), from Mindanao, Philippines, is described herein as a new species. This species is distinguished from all other species of Actinostachys (grass ferns) by its notably short and narrow fronds, distinct triangular stipe, and bifid apex of the sorophore lamina with profuse white long hairs. This species is distinct from the other known Philippine species of Actinostachys by its diminutive epiphytic habit and a habitat restricted to the trunks of the tree fern Sphaeropteris polypoda (Baker) R.M.Tryon. A taxonomic key to the species of Philippine Schizaeaceae that incorporates the new species is provided.

Two new spiders: Thelcticopis dahanensis and Thelcticopis unciformis

Thelcticopis is a genus of huntsman spiders (family Sparassidae) that occurs almost exclusively in the Australasian region. Huntsman spiders are also known as giant crab spiders. Some of them can indeed grow quite large (up to 30 cm). The new species are not that large though and not known to be venomous (in contrast to some other huntsman spiders). Both were found in Taiwan.

One of the new species was named after the type locality and the other one after a shape of a part of the male palpal bulb. 

For the experts: Two new species of the genus Thelcticopis Karsch, 1884, T. dahanensis Zhu & Zhong, sp. nov. (♂) and T. unciformis Zhu & Zhong, sp. nov. (♂), are described and figured from Taiwan Island. Thelcticopis severa (L. Koch, 1875) is recorded from Guangdong and Fujian provinces for the first time. So far, Thelcticopis, including four species from China, is mainly distributed in the tropical or subtropical areas of China (Hainan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Guangdong, Fujian).

A new termite: Gastrotermes spinatus

Termites are insects that live in colonies and divide labor among castes, produce overlapping generations, and take care of their young collectively. Although this way of live is very similar to some species of hymenoptera, termites are at best distant cousins, closer related to roaches. There are more than 3,100 living termite species worldwide.

The species name is derived from the latin word spinatus which means spine. This refers to some spines on the body of the termite.

For the experts: Gastrotermes spinatus gen. n. sp. n is described from workers of a single foraging group collected in Cameroon. This soil-feeding termite aligns with the Labidotermes subgroup (Apicotermes group) because of its non-protruding and symmetrical enteric valve armature, its short P1, and its globular P3a. An asymmetrical field of robust sclerotized spines at the opening of the P3a is unique among the other Labidotermes subgroup genera.

A new leaf insect: Phyllium levantos

Leaf insects (family Phyliidae) literally look like leaves. The resemblance is so perfect (including structures that mimic bite marks in some species) that predators can't distinguish them from real leaves. These animals have a very particular walk. They rock back and forth, thereby mimicking a leaf moved by the wind. This behaviour has given them the name dancing leaf insects.

The new species was found on Papua New Guinea and these animals are so rarely found the authors named them after Lelantos, the Greek minor Titan of moving unseen.

For the experts: A new subgenus, Walaphyllium subgen. nov., is described within Phyllium Illiger, 1798 to accommodate three leaf insect species. One of the species included is newly described herein as Phyllium (Walaphyllium) lelantos sp. nov. from Papua New Guinea. This new subgenus of Phyllium can be diagnosed by a following combination of features. This new species is compared to the two additional new subgenus members, Phyllium zomproi Größer, 2001 and Phyllium monteithi Brock & Hasenpusch, 2003. Also for the first time the male morphology of Phyllium zomproi is described and illustrated. To conclude, a brief biogeographical view of the leaf insects on either side of the Torres Strait is presented, as well as a key to species and a distribution map to the known species of Phyllium (Walaphyllium) subgen. nov.

A new fly: Sarcophaga mersinensis

This fly belongs to a family called the flesh-fly group and as the name implies, larvae feed on decaying meat astray need protein to develop. That's why eggs are laid on carrion, dung or sweet plant foods such a fruits or nuts. Many species are considered nuisance pests, but there are some that are vectors of pathogens and bacteria. Likely not our new one though. By the way, its species name refers to the Mersin Province in Turkey, where the new fly was discovered.

For the experts: A new species, Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) mersinensis sp. nov. is described from the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The male terminalia are documented with line drawings, photographs and scanning electron microscope images. The species is compared with the two most similar species, Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) baudeti (Lehrer) and Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) theodori (Lehrer), both known from Israel. A key is provided to the western Palaearctic species of Pandelleisca Rohdendorf.

A new beetle: Tychobythinus inopinatus

The beetle family Staphylinidae, better known as rove beetles, is currently the largest group of beetles known. It contains about 60000 species in thousands of genera. Most rove beetles are predators of insects and other kinds of invertebrates, living in forest leaf litter and similar kinds of decaying plant matter. They are also commonly found under stones, and around freshwater and oceanic margins.

Today's new species is a cave dwelling representative found in the Grotta Monello in Sicily, Italy.  Although the authors give no explanation for the species name, my guess is they used the the latin word inopinatus which means unexpected.

For the experts: A new troglobitic species of the subfamily Pselaphinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Tychobythinus inopinatus sp. nov., is described from Monello Cave (Syracuse, Syracuse Province, Sicily). Major diagnostic features are illustrated based on both male and female specimens. The new species shows some adaptations to cave life, i.e., pale brown colour; setation consisting of long and flattened setae and suberect shorter setae; absence of wings; and anophthalmy and elongate legs and antennae. It can be easily separated from the related taxa by the different shapes of the head, palpi, gular carina of the male, and aedeagus. Tychobythinus inopinatus sp. nov. is known only from Monello Cave, a limestone cave in the south-eastern Sicily.

A new plant hopper: Agoo luzdenia

Plant hoppers are insects of the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, which consists of some 12,500 described species worldwide. The name comes from their resemblance to leaves and other plant parts and from the fact that they often jump in a similar way to that of grasshoppers. These animals are feeding on plant sap and are therefore often vectors for plant diseases which are transmitted in the process.

The new species was found at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica on palms. It was names after the lead authors wife, Luz Denia Bahder.

For the experts: An ongoing survey to document planthopper diversity on palms (Arecaceae) is being conducted in Costa Rica. During these efforts a new species of derbid planthopper belonging to the genus Agoo was found on Astrocaryum alatum Loomis in the Heredia province at La Selva Biological Station and is described here as Agoo luzdenia Bahder & Bartlett sp. n., bringing the genus to four described taxa—A. dahliana, A. luzdenia Bahder & Bartlett sp. n., A rubrimarginata, and A. xavieri. Sequence data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S genes was generated for the novel taxon and strongly supports its placement in the genus Agoo.

A new fish: Plectranthias purpuralepis

Yes, I do like fish which is why this blog is lightly skewed towards new fish species. However, I do what I can to showcase other lifeforms.

With about 450 species the Serranidae represent a large family of perches. Many of them are brightly coloured, and many are caught for food. They are usually in tropical to subtropical waters along the coasts. Chances are that you've seen many of them in photos or videos of coral reef fauna. Thus new species was found in Northern Taiwan (either by angling or buying them at a local fish market). The species name is a combination of the Latin words “purpura” and “lepis,” meaning purple scales, which is in reference  distinct purple colour scales that only appear after preservation.

For the experts: A new species of Plectranthias Bleeker is described on the basis of 16 specimens collected from northern Taiwan. The new species, Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in having pectoral and pelvic fins mostly covered with small scales, some white scales on dorsum turn purple when preserved, and the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin elements X, 16–17; 3rd dorsal-fin spine longest; pectoral-fin rays 14, all branched except for uppermost simple ray; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; pored lateral-line scales 33–36; 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek; circumpeduncular scales 14; ca. 7 rows of large predorsal scales, 2 irregular rows of small scales extending to a line through posterior nostrils; no scales on maxilla and chin; posterior margin of preopercle serrated, ventral margin with 2 antrorse spines; and the greatest body depth 2.9–3.0 in SL.

A new seahorse: Hippocampus nalu

Pygmy seahorses are known to science only since 1969 and they were discovered by chance. A researcher was collecting  specimens of Muricella sea fans and he noticed some tiny seahorses while dissecting the coral. Six more species were described after 2000. This one is the first pygmy seahorse ever discovered in African waters. it grows to a maximum size of just 2cm. 

The scientific name has several meanings. First of all, the seahorse was named after Savannah Nalu Olivier who discovered the new species in Sodwana Bay. In the South African languages, Xhosa and Zulu, the word nalu refers to the expression ‘here it is’ and the authors extend its meaning to the simple fact that Hippocampus nalu was there all along until its discovery. In the Hawaiian language nalu refers to the waves of the ocean.

For the experts: A new species and the first confirmed record of a true pygmy seahorse from Africa, Hippocampus nalu sp. nov., is herein described on the basis of two specimens, 18.9–22 mm SL, collected from flat sandy coral reef at 14–17 meters depth from Sodwana Bay, South Africa. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the previously described central Indo-Pacific pygmy seahorses, H. colemani, H. japapigu, H. pontohi, and H. satomiae, and H. waleananus, including diminutive size, twelve trunk rings, prominent cleithral ring and supracleithrum, spines on the fifth and twelfth superior and lateral trunk ridges, respectively, and prominent wing-like protrusions present on the first and/or second superior trunk rings posterior to the head. Hippocampus nalu sp. nov. is primarily distinguished from its pygmy seahorse congeners by highly distinct spine morphology along the anterior segments of the superior trunk ridge. Comparative molecular analysis reveals that the new species demonstrates significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene from the morphologically similar H. japapigu and H. pontohi (estimated uncorrected p-distances of 16.3% and 15.2%, respectively). Hippocampus nalu sp. nov. represents the eighth member of the pygmy seahorse clade to be described from the Indo-Pacific, the first confirmed record from the African continent and the Indian Ocean, and an extension of more than 8000 km beyond the previously known range of pygmy seahorses from the Central and Western Indo-Pacific.

A new plant: Belemia cordata

Nyctaginaceae, better known as the four o'clock family, is a plant family with about 300 species. Several species in this group have flowers which open during the late afternoon, hence the name four o'clock family. During fieldwork in northern Brazil, colleagues founds this new member of the genus Belemia which was so far considered monotypic (only one member).

The species was named for it heart-shaped leaves (cordate leaves).

For the experts: Investigations following the discovery of an unusual new collection from the Amazon lead to a phylogenetic investigation in order to ascertain its position within the Nyctaginaceae. Two different approaches were used: gene trees from nucleotide sequences of ndhF and ITS aiming to check the phylogenetic position of the new species in the genus Belemia (Nyctaginaceae), using mostly the available data; and a phylogenomic analysis based on full plastome sequences of Caryophyllales and related orders. Following that, a description of the new species, Belemia cordata

Harley & Giul., complete with illustrations, comments and conservation status are provided. Distinct from B. fucsioides, the only other species of the genus, the new species has branches and flowers covered in multicellular glandular trichomes, leaves with cordate base, inflorescences in congested cymes and included stamens. The species is classified as Critically Endangered as it has been found in a single location and subsequent expeditions to locate the plant were not successful. The second description of the chloroplast genome of Nyctaginaceae is also provided.

A new plant: Jasminum parceflorum

Jasminum is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). About 200 species are known for this group, among them are the common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) which is used as perfume, and the Arabic Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) which is the main flavouring ingredient in jasmine tea.

This new species was found in Mengla County and Jinghong City, Yunnan Province, China. The specific name refers to the fact that it has fewer flowers in comparison with most other jasmine species. 

For the experts: Jasminum parceflorum (Oleaceae), a new species from tropical limestone habitats in Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. The new species is similar to J. pierreanum and J. rarum, but can be distinguished by its linear calyx lobes, dry calyces without ridges, terminal 1 (or 3)-flowered cymes and axillary solitary flowers.

A new gecko: Cnemaspis lineatubercularis

This little (< 4 cm) guy belongs to one of the most diverse genera of geckos (>100 species). Most of the species in this group live in South East Asia and so does our newcomer, found in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in southern Thailand. Unlike many other geckos, members of the genus Cnemaspis are active during the daytime.

The species name of our newcomer is quite a mouthful and it is a combination of the latin words linea (for line) and tubercularis (for having tubercles), in reference a row of tubercles linearly arranged.

For the experts: The rock-dwelling gecko genus Cnemaspis is one of the most species-diverse genera of gekkonid in Thailand. Earlier studies relied on morphological data to identify species, but cryptic morphology often obscured species diversity in Cnemaspis. In this study, an integrative taxonomic approach based on morphological characters and sequences of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene were used to clarify current taxonomy of the Cnemaspis siamensis complex and delimit a new species from Lan Saka District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand. Cnemaspis lineatubercularis sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeneric species by the combination of morphological characters: (1) maximum snout-vent length (SVL) of 40.6 mm (mean 38.8 ± SD 1.4, N = 12) in adult males and maximum SVL of 41.8 mm (mean 39.5 ± SD 1.9, N = 7) in adult females; (2) 8–9 supralabial and infralabial scales; (3) gular, pectoral, abdominal, and subcaudal scales keeled; (4) rostral, interorbitals, supercilium, palmar scales, and ventral scales of brachia smooth; (5) 5–6 small, subconical spine-like tubercles present on flanks; (6) 19–21 paravertebral tubercles linearly arranged; (7) 27–29 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe; (8) 4–7 pore-bearing precloacal scales, pores rounded arranged in chevron shape and separated only in males; (9) one postcloacal tubercles each side in males; (10) ventrolateral caudal tubercles present anteriorly; (11) caudal tubercles restricted to a single paravertebral row on each side; (12) single median row of subcaudal scales keeled and lacking enlarged median row; and (13) gular region, abdomen, limbs and subcaudal region yellowish only in males. Genetically, the uncorrected pairwise divergences between the new species and their congeners in the C. siamensis group were between 15.53–28.09%. The new species is currently known only from granitic rocky streams at Wang Mai Pak Waterfall in the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range. Its discovery suggests that additional unrecognized species of Cnemaspis may still occur in unexplored areas of southern Thailand.

A new plant hopper: Haplaxius dougwalshi

Planthoppers are insects of the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, which consists of some 12,500 described species worldwide. The name comes from their resemblance to leaves and other plant parts and from the fact that they often jump in a similar way to that of grasshoppers.

Planthoppers are feeding on plant sap and are therefore often vectors for plant diseases which are transmitted in the process.

The new species was named in reference to Dr. Doug Walsh at Washington State University, who’s signature moustache resembles the colour pattern observed on the frons of the new species.

For the experts: The genus Haplaxius is a large taxon of cixiid planthoppers that is of economic importance due to the ability of Haplaxius crudus to transmit lethal yellowing in coconut palms. Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n. is established as a new taxon of Cixiidae in the tribe Oecleini collected from native palms in lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica. Placement in the genus Haplaxius is supported both by molecular evidence based on the COI and 18S genes as well as by morphological characters. This novel taxon was discovered during survey work in Costa Rica to look for phytoplasmas and document planthopper diversity on palms. Furthermore, Haplaxius skarphion was also collected from coconut palms during survey work and is reported for the first time in Costa Rica.

A new fish: Limia mandibularis

Livebearing fish are quite famous among people with aquariums. The most known are guppies, platys, swordtails, and mollies. Livebearing means that the female provisions for the fertilized yolked eggs and gives birth to live young, which have a higher chance of survival than eggs. Fertilization is achieved internally with the male's gonopodium, a modified anal fin used for sperm transfer.

The genus Limia contains 21 species, most of them are endemic to Hispaniola and so is our new species that was found in Haiti. 

The new species name  is in reference to the well-developed lower jaw, a character that distinguishes the species.

For the experts: Limia mandibularis, a new livebearing fish of the family Poeciliidae is described from Lake Miragoane in southwestern Haiti on Hispaniola. The new species differs from all other species in the genus Limia by the presece of a well-developed lower jaw, the absence of preorbital and preopercular pores, and preorbital and preopercular canals forming an open groove each. The description of this new Limia species from Lake Miragoane confirms this lake as an important center of endemism for the genus with a total of nine described species so far.

A new fungus: Trametes parvispora

Trametes is a genus of wood-decaying fungi which is widely distributed across the planet and contains about fifty species. Some of those species have a long history as medicinal fungi in many cultures (e.g. in Namibia or India). This new species was found in Benin and its name refers to the small size of its spores.

For the experts: Trametes is a globally distributed genus of white-rot polypores and well sampled in temperate and boreal areas. However, the diversity, taxonomy, and phylogenetic positions of Trametes spp. are poorly known in tropical Africa. This study aims at documenting the diversity of Trametes species in Benin (tropical Africa) and their phylogenetic positions with a focus on the T. elegans species complex. Therefore, we collected specimens of Trametes from different forest types across Benin. To infer phylogenetic relationships between Trametes species, we investigated sequences of five gene regions and added available sequences from GenBank. Using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogeny inference methods, we found eight supported species clades. For the T. elegans species complex, we re-establish the name Trametes palisotii for species previously known as T. elegans in tropical Africa. Furthermore, we propose Trametes parvispora as a species new to science and provide the description of this species. Our molecular phylogeny of Trametes with a focus on tropical Benin contributes to taxonomic clarity of an important wood-decay fungal genus, which is the basis for biodiversity assessments of Trametes in the tropics.