Phylogenetic, ecological and morphological characteristics reveal two new spider-associated genera in Clavicipitaceae Author Chen, Wan-Hao https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7240-6841 Center for Mycomedicine Research, Basic Medical School, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China cwhisaria@163.com Author Liang, Jian-Dong https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3939-3900 Center for Mycomedicine Research, Basic Medical School, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China Author Ren, Xiu-Xiu Center for Mycomedicine Research, Basic Medical School, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China Author Zhao, Jie-Hong Center for Mycomedicine Research, Basic Medical School, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China Author Han, Yan-Feng Institute of Fungus Resources, Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China Author Liang, Zong-Qi Institute of Fungus Resources, Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China text MycoKeys 2022 2022-07-07 91 49 66 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.91.86812 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.91.86812 1314-4049-91-49 260D0ECFE54E5AD68217C84ED7896C19 Pseudometarhizium W.H. Chen, Y.F. Han, J.D. Liang & Z.Q. Liang gen. nov. Etymology. Referring to Metarhizium -like colony. Type species. Pseudometarhizium araneogenum W.H. Chen, Y.F. Han, J.D. Liang & Z.Q. Liang. Description. Colonies on PDA, light green, reserve brown to light brown. Conidiophores synnematous or mononematous, erect, scattered. Phialides emerging laterally from synnemata or hyphae, forming a compact hymenium, abruptly narrowing into a helical neck. Conidia, one-celled, fusiform or ellipsoidal. Host. Spider ( Araneae ). Habitat. Near the road, located on or under rocks, or on the underside of leaves of broad-leaved plant species. Sexual morph. Unknown. Notes. The light green colonies of Pseudometarhizium are similar to those of Metarhizium species. However, Pseudometarhizium is easily distinguished by the combined datasets (ITS+LSU+RPB2+TEF), and had a close relationship with Metarhiziopsis . Pseudometarhizium can be easily distinguished from Metarhiziopsis by its paecilomyces-like structure and absence of sporodochia.