Haploporus (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) in sub-Saharan Africa: Poria eichelbaumii, a long-forgotten name, is reinstated in Haploporus and H. grandisporus sp. nov. is proposed

Poria eichelbaumii, a long-forgotten name, is transferred to Haploporus based on studies of the type specimen, comparison with new collections, and evidences from both morphology and phylogeny. The species is redescribed and illustrated. Haploporus grandisporus is described as new, on the basis of concordant morphological and phylogenetic species concepts. These two species form two very closely related clades within the Haploporus lineage in [28S-ITS]-based phylogenetic inferences. Haploporus eichelbaumii and H. grandisporus are distinguished by the size of their basidiospores (11.5–14.5 × 5.0–6.0 μm, average = 12.7 × 5.8 μm, vs 14–17.5 × 6.0–7.3 μm, average 15.4 × 6.6 μm), the size of their pores (2.5–3.5 / mm, vs 1.5–2.5 / mm), and, likely, divergent autecologies. Although both species occur in montane ecosystems of the eastern African rift, the data so far available suggest they occupy different habitats. Haploporus eichelbaumii has wider distribution, spanning over both branches of the eastern rift, at elevation ~ 1500–2500 masl, in various vegetation types, mostly on small-sized dead branches or twigs, and dead bamboo culms. It is known so far from Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi to the East, and western Burundi, western Uganda, and Eastern Congo (DRC) in the Albertine mountain ranges. Haploporus grandisporus is known, hitherto, only from the Eastern slopes of Mount Elgon in Kenya, at the timberline, 2900–3200 masl, mostly on dead heather branches (Erica arborea, Ericaceae) in heather thickets. Haploporus nanosporus is currently the third known Haploporus species from tropical Africa, known from the western edge of the Guineo-Congolian rain forest in Gabon and Cameroon. This species is also redescribed and illustrated.