Our planet is inhabited by an estimated 2.5 million species of fungi, of which fewer than 10% have been scientifically described. Some of the most understudied yet remarkable fungal species are those capable of parasitizing arthropods, notably insects and spiders. Here, we explore the hidden diversity of a spider-attacking (araneopathogenic) fungus and its associated microbiome in one of the world's most biodiverse yet threatened biomes, the Atlantic Forest. We apply a field-based "taxogenomic" approach, comprising the integration of classical fungal taxonomy and genomic characterization of a sample's endogenous, associated, and incidental DNA. The data we produced in the field reveal a new species of Purpureocillium fungus belonging to the P. atypicola group, parasitizing trapdoor spiders, and provide a snapshot of its associated bacterial and fungal microbiota. Molecular, morphological, and ecological data support P. atypicola as a complex of cryptic species infecting a variety of ecologically distinct spider species globally. We call for consolidated efforts to accelerate and facilitate the publication of both new species and the characterization of the genomic composition of their associated taxa.

Antonelli Foundation for Biodiversity Research and Conservation Nova Friburgo Brazil Antonelli Foundation for Biodiversity Research and Conservation Nova Friburgo Brazil

Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences Institute of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences Institute of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic

Department of Biology University of Oxford Oxford UK University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom

Department of Botany Division of Fungi and Algae National Museum of Nature and Science Tokyo Japan National Museum of Nature and Science Tokyo Japan

Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic

Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden

Lund University Botanical Garden Lund University Lund Sweden Lund University Lund Sweden

MIND Funga MICOLAB Botany Department Santa Catarina Federal University Florianopolis Brazil Santa Catarina Federal University Florianopolis Brazil

National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Thailand Science Park Pathum Thani Thailand National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Pathum Thani Thailand

Natural History Museum of Denmark University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark Royal Botanic Gardens Richmond United Kingdom

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Richmond Surrey UK University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark

School of the Environment and Life Sciences University of Portsmouth Portsmouth UK University of Portsmouth Portsmouth United Kingdom

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