The great raft spider, Dolomedes plantarius (Clerck, 1757), is a rare and endangered species in Germany and other European countries. Current data on its distribution and ecology are briefly reviewed. Five new (or overlooked) localities for this spider from the Spreewald-region of Brandenburg in eastern Germany are provided, together with an updated distribution map. One record, based on the authors’ own collections, is described and figured in detail, with the egg-carrying female discovered in reeds at the edge of a fairly large body of open water. Both direct and indirect protective measures for the habitats of this species in the Spreewald-region are recommended.

The taxonomic position of the poorly known species Roeweriella balcanica Kratochvíl, 1932 from Croatia is discussed. The species is illustrated and re-described on the basis of the female holotype. The genus Roeweriella Kratochvíl, 1932 (type species: R. balcanica Kratochvíl, 1932 by monotypy) is synonymized with Marpissa C.L. Koch, 1846, and therefore the new combination, Marpissa (Marpissa) balcanica (Kratochvíl, 1932) comb.nov., is proposed.

Comparison of the detailed species-specific original drawings of Microneta pusilla Menge, 1869 with the holotype of Hypsocephalus dahli (Lessert, 1909) and the record of one female close to the type locality of Microneta pusilla in Gdańsk, Poland indicate that Hypsocephalus dahli is a junior synonym of Microneta pusilla. Hypsocephalus pusillus (Menge, 1869) is therefore proposed as the valid name for this species. Here we discuss the taxonomic status of both species and present a distribution map that accounts for records in Poland.

We present the results of a study of spider material extracted by means of Berlese apparatus from wet mosses and by litter sieving in broadleaf woods within several natural reserves of the Abruzzo region (Central Italy). The main aim of the work is to contribute to the knowledge of the spider fauna of the Apennines; currently one of the lesser known in Italy. In total, 520 individual spiders, belonging to 49 species and 14 families were collected. The most abundant and diverse family was Linyphiidae, with 278 individuals belonging to 22 species. Altogether we provide 28 new records for the Abruzzo region, including two species of Theridiidae, 20 of Linyphiidae, four of Hahniidae and two of Thomisidae. We also present additional unpublished records of several rare, litter-inhabiting species collected by litter sieving in the same area. Data on habitat preferences and details on the Italian distribution of the rarest species are presented.

Latrodectus mactans (Fabricius, 1775) was recorded from Germany. The species was most likely introduced with cargo from Chicago, USA. Characters of the single female are illustrated for future identification.

book review: Wolfgang Rabitsch & Franz Essl (2009): Endemiten. Kostbarkeiten in Österreichs Pflanzen- und Tierwelt.

obituary, bibliography, Otto von Helversen

Agroeca gaunitzi Tullgren, 1952 is stated here to be a junior synonym of A. proxima (O. P.-Cambridge, 1871). The illustrations of the male palp attributed to A. proxima in papers by Tullgren of 1946 and 1952 in fact show A. inopina O. P.-Cambridge, 1886. The record of A. inopina from Finland, quite outside its known distribution range, was based on a misidentification. It is argued that the type species of the genus Agroeca Westring, 1861 should be A. proxima (O. P.-Cambridge, 1871), not A. brunnea (Blackwall, 1833) as currently applied. Protagroeca Lohmander, 1944 is placed as an objective synonym of Agroeca Westring, 1861.

The alien spider species Spermophora kerinci Huber, 2005, Nesticella mogera (Yaginuma, 1972) and Pseudanapis aloha Forster, 1959 are recorded from greenhouses in Germany. These are the first records from the European mainland. All these species have recently been found in the British Isles.

Pandava laminata (Thorell, 1878) was recorded for the first time from Germany at the Cologne Zoo. The species was most likely introduced with plants or cargo from Southeast Asia. Characters important for identification at species, genus and family level are listed and partly illustrated.

In September 2005, one male specimen of the wolf spider genus Alopecosa was discovered and photographed in heathland near Haltern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was identified as A. barbipes (Sundevall, 1833), as it showed the species- and sex-specific tibial hair-brush absent in the sibling species A. accentuata. Three years later, two other specimens of A. barbipes were collected in the same area. These findings indicate that the species is more widespread than originally thought. Some details concerning the distribution of A. accentuata and A. barbipes and the problem of synonymy are discussed.

Spiders were collected at the massif 'Panský diel' near the city of Banská Bystrica (Central Slovakia). We recorded 252 spider species for the territory and one new species for Slovakia. Although the summit reaches an altitude of 1.100 m a.s.l., more or less thermophilous species apparently prevail here, especially at lower moderate sites. On the other hand, only several typical oreophilous species were documented. Many recorded species are scarce or even very rare. This indicates the very high value of this territory from both a genetic and an environmental perspective.

In the course of a long term survey on the effects of grazing on the diversity of alpine grasslands, the false scorpion Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) poeninus Mahnert, 1979 was recorded for the first time outside of Switzerland. The preferred habitat at the locality Alpe Einödsberg (Germany, Bavaria) differs strongly from previous findings. Our data suggest an association with Nardus grasslands (Geo montani-Nardetum), whereas earlier records originated from leaf litter, moss and mouldy trunks. Furthermore, the new records between 1540 m and 1973 m above sea level are the first from the subalpine region of the Alps (hitherto C. poeninus was known from 550 m to 1450 m). In the study region, extensive grazing seems to have a positive effect on the abundance of the species, while it is missing from intensively grazed pastures.

In a survey of the spider fauna in greenhouses of the Botanic Garden Berlin-Dahlem, 30 spider species were recorded. Two species are new to Europe: Theotima minutissima (Petrunkevitch, 1929) and Heteroonops spinimanus (Simon, 1891). T. minutissima is the first member of the family Ochyroceratidae reported from Europe. Oecobius navus Blackwall, 1859 is new to Central Europe. Triaeris stenaspis Simon, 1891, is recorded from Germany for the first time. Zodarion italicum (Canestrini, 1868) is new to eastern Germany. Despite the discovery of some species previously unknown to Germany, the spider fauna in the Botanic Garden consisted mainly of wellknown synanthropic species and common inhabitants of greenhouses. Several alien spiders recently found in greenhouses, garden centers and houses were not recorded in the Botanic Garden. The species composition of the exotic spider fauna in greenhouses seems to depend chiefly on the specific modes of acquisition of plants and plant substrate.

Linyphia triumphalis Denis, 1952 was found to be a junior synonym of Centromerus pabulator (O.P.-Cambridge, 1875) (Araneae, Linyphiidae). New synonymy.

obituary; bibliography, Michael Ilmari Saaristo