The zoological collection of the National Museum, Prague (NMP) contains spirit (juvenile) as well as dry (mostly adult) specimens of horseshoe crabs (Xiphosura). Living horseshoe crabs are of immunological importance due to clotting agents present in their hemolymph. Here we summarize basic data about the mechanism of the immune system of these marine animals and its use in practice – the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test – including the laboratory assays and handling with the animals. In the NMP collection, 82 specimens (16 dry and 66 spirit) of all four currently recognised living species of horseshoe crabs are present. They were collected in Indonesia, USA and Vietnam in 1872–1998; Limulus polyphemus from the USA is the most numerous species in the NMP. The collection contains no type specimens but three historical mounted ontogenetic series are present. The largest part of the horseshoe crab collection is 55 spirit specimens from the collection of Václav Frič (1839–1916) whose preparations were intended mostly for educational purposes.

A new scorpion species, Euscorpius drenskii sp. nov., is described from the Western Rhodope Mts. in southern Bulgaria. It is characterized by an oligotrichous trichobothrial pattern, which shows a conspicuous loss of one trichobothrium in the external median patellar series (em = 3), also observed in E. carpathicus (Linnaeus, 1767) and the subgenus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein, Fet, Largiadèr & Scholl, 1999. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA marker sequences does not show any close relationship between these three groups, suggesting that the observed loss of a trichobothrium is an independent event.

Previous study of the setae covering the opisthosoma of ground spiders shows that the morphology of the covering setae is genus-specific. The present study pursues the description of covering setae across the whole Gnaphosidae family using SEM. A detailed morphology of the setae of ground spiders (Araneae, Gnaphosidae) is presented. The six major types of covering setae recognized among gnaphosid spiders are squamose, plumose, lanceolate, pinnate, arborate and sicate setae. Squamose setae are characteristic for Micaria lenzi and Nauhea tapa. Plumose setae are more common in ground spiders and occur in the genera Drassodes, Haplodrassus, Anagraphis, Nodocion, Zelotes and the species Berlandina caspica, Nomisia aussereri, Minosiella intermedia, Sosticus loricatus, Leptodrassus memorialis, Intruda signata, Parasyrisca caucasica, Scopoides catharius, Echemoides tofo, Zimiromus medius, Encoptarthria echemophthalma, Apodrassodes trancas, Apopyllus silvestri, Hemicloea sundevalli, Zelanda erebus, Orodrassus assimilis, Callilepis nocturna and Synaphosus turanicus. The species Matua valida, Anzacia gemmea, Hypodrassodes maoricus, Homoeothele micans and Scotophaeus blackwalli have lanceolate setae. Spiders of the genus Gnaphosa have pinnate setae. Fedotovia uzbekistanica has arborate setae. The species Cesonia bilineata, Herpyllus propinquus, Litopyllus temporarius, Aphantaulax seminigra and Kishidaia conspicua have sicate setae. Some genera, such as Drassodes and Synaphosus, have a combination of different types of setae on their opisthosoma, whereas others, like Eilica sp., Laronius erawan, Urozelotes rusticus, have no covering setae on their opisthosoma at all. This study reveals the existence of different types of covering setae and provides a set of characteristics important for the classification and phylogenetic analysis of Gnaphosidae.

Discoveries of new species of giant scorpion (more than 14 cm in total length) are considered extremely rare. Among the largest scorpions in the world there are some species from West Africa, very popular in the pet trade and, for this reason, protected by the Washington Convention (CITES). Besides the three well-known protected species – Pandinus imperator (C. L. Koch, 1841), Pandinopsis dictator (Pocock, 1888) and Pandinus gambiensis Pocock, 1900 – a fourth giant species, Pandinus ulderigoi Rossi, 2014, was recently described from a supposedly unknown locality in the Central African Republic. Unpublished notes, just discovered, allow clarification of the exact type locality of this species. Besides newly examined material from the type locality, representative of both sexes, allows better definition of the characters of this species including its unusual trichobothrial pattern. A fifth giant species, Pandinus roeseli (Simon, 1872), recently revalidated from Pandinus imperator, is automatically included among the protected species. In light of the vulnerable status, the similar general appearance, the possibly restricted and continuous distribution with regards to the four protected species as well as the recent import suspension of P. imperator from Ghana, P. ulderigoi should be added to the Pandinus species protected by the Washington Convention.

A new genus of hubbardiid schizomid, Bucinozomus gen. nov. with the single species B. hortuspalmarum spec. nov., is described on basis to two male specimens found in the 'Palmengarten' greenhouse in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It clearly differs from other known genera by having a long and conical abdominal segment IX, as well as the following combination of characters: anterodorsal margin of femur IV produced at less than a 90° angle, metapeltidium divided, and pedipalps with prominent spinose setae. It differs from Trithyreus Kraepelin, 1899 by having the pedipalp trochanter with a mesal spur, leg femur IV not slender and a pedipalp tarsus with a shorter claw (half of tarsus length). Living sympatric with this new taxon were female specimens of Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 and Zomus bagnallii (Jackson, 1908).

Die neue Zwerggeißelskorpion-Gattung Bucinozomus gen. nov. (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) mit der bisher einzigen bekannten Art B. hortuspalmarum spec. nov. wurde erstmalig anhand von zwei männlichen Individuen, welche in den Gewächshäusern des Palmengartens in Frankfurt am Main (Deutschland) gefunden wurden, beschrieben. Sie unterscheidet sich deutlich von allen anderen bisher bekannten Gattungen durch den Besitz eines langen, kegelförmigen Abdominalsegments IX, so wie durch eine Kombination folgender Merkmale: Der anterodorsale Rand des Femurs IV bildet einen Winkel unter 90° aus, das Metapeltidium ist geteilt und die Pedipalpen weisen auffällig stachelige Setae auf. Von der Gattung Trithyreus Kraepelin, 1899 lässt sich die neue Gattung anhand eines mesalen Sporns auf den Pedipalpen-Trochantern, einem insgesamt weniger schlanken Femur IV und kürzeren Klauen an den Pedipalpentarsen (Hälfte der Tarsuslänge) unterscheiden. Am Fundort kommt B. hortuspalmarum spec. nov. sympatrisch mit Weibchen von Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 und Zomus bagnallii (Jackson, 1908) vor.

A female of the jumping spider Heliophanus stylifer Simon, 1878 was found in the s’Albufera natural park on the Balearic Island of Mallorca (Spain). This species is new to Europe. Seven additional jumping spider species were recorded, including the first records of Heliophanus apiatus, Icius hamatus and Menemerus taeniatus for the Balearic Islands.

Ein Weibchen der Springspinne Heliophanus stylifer Simon, 1878 wurde im Naturpark s’Albufera auf der Balearen-Insel Mallorca (Spanien) gefunden. Die Spezies ist neu für Europa. Außerdem wurden weitere sieben Springspinnenarten nachgewiesen, darunter mit Heliophanus apiatus, Icius hamatus und Menemerus taeniatus drei Arten erstmalig für die Balearen.

book review: Christoph Muster & Marc Meyer 2014 Verbreitungsatlas der Weberknechte des Großherzogtums Luxemburg

anniversary, Jörg Wunderlich

working group

Sauron rayi (Simon, 1881) is recorded in Austria for the first time. Male and female specimens of this rare European spider were found in two ‘Austrian pine forests’ in Lower Austria. Data on distribution, habitat, phenology and Red List status from the Austrian localities and from published records in other countries are presented.

Sauron rayi (Simon, 1881) wurde in Österreich zum ersten Mal nachgewiesen. Männchen und Weibchen dieser seltenen Europäischen Spinnen wurden in zwei Schwarzföhrenwäldern in Niederösterreich gefunden. Daten zur Verbreitung, zum Habitat, zur Phänologie und zur Gefährdung dieser Art aus den österreichischen Fundorten und von bereits publizierten Nachweisen aus anderen Ländern werden präsentiert.

The jumping spider Evarcha michailovi Logunov 1992 was recorded as new to Germany from a nature reserve in the south of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in a dry heathland habitat. Furthermore, the first records of the jumping spiders Evarcha laetabunda (C. L. Koch, 1846), Philaeus chrysops (Poda, 1761) and Sitticus inexpectus Logunov & Kronestedt, 1997, the comb-footed spider Crustulina sticta (O. P.-Cambridge, 1861) and the crab spider Heriaeus graminicola (Doleschall, 1852) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are reported.

Die Springspinne Evarcha michailovi Logunov 1992 wird erstmalig für Deutschland von einem ehemaligen Truppenübungsplatz im Süden Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns gemeldet. Gleichzeitig werden Erstnachweise der Springspinnen Evarcha laetabunda (C. L. Koch, 1846), Philaeus chrysops (Poda, 1761) und Sitticus inexpectus Logunov & Kronestedt 1997, der Haubennetzspinne Crustulina sticta (O. P.-Cambridge, 1861) sowie der Krabbenspinne Heriaeus graminicola (Doleschall, 1852) belegt.

A nematode from the family Mermithidae (Nematoda) was recorded parasitizing a spider of the genus Trochosa. The subadult Trochosa-female was found in a semi-dry calcareous grassland in the valley Leutratal, south of the city of Jena, Thuringia, Germany.

Ein Fadenwurm der Familie Mermithidae (Nematoda) wurde als Parasit der Gattung

Trochosa festgestellt. Das subadulte Trochosa-Weibchen wurde im mäßig trockenen Kalkgrasland des Leutratals südlich von Jena (Thüringen) gefangen.

A new genus and species of small harvestman was found for the first time in Slovakia – Carinostoma elegans (Sørensen, 1894). One male and two females were collected in the Mlyňany arboretum of the Slovak Academy of Science (western Slovakia). Descriptions and photographs of both sexes of C. elegans are provided. Additional comments, and a map of distribution of all species of this genus, are provided.

Eine neue Weberknechtgattung und -art wurde erstmals in der Slowakische Republik nachgewiesen – Carinostoma elegans (Sørensen, 1894). Ein Männchen und zwei Weibchen wurden im Mlyňany Arboretum der Slovakischen Akademie der Wissenschaften nachgewiesen. Beide Geschlechter sowie die Verbreitung der Art werden beschrieben und abgebildet.

Some colonies of spiders belonging to the Mediterranean cellar spider Holocnemus pluchei (Scopoli, 1763), were found in both beverage and do-it-yourself stores in Germany. Among these are the first records of H. pluchei in Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Einige Vorkommen der mediterranen Zitterspinnenart Holocnemus pluchei (Scopoli, 1763) wurden in Deutschland in Getränkemärkten und Baumärkten gefunden. Neu nachgewiesen wurde die Art für Berlin, Hamburg, Niedersachsen und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Three new species of the genus Roncus L. Koch, 1873 are described and figured: Roncus gasparoi n.sp. from Corfu (Spilaio Anthropograva), Roncus pieperi n.sp. from Kefalonia (caves Fitidi and Drogarati) and Roncus giachinoi n.sp. from continental Greece, Arkanania (Megalo Spilio).

Drei neue Arten der Gattung Roncus L. Koch, 1873 werden beschrieben und abgebildet: Roncus gasparoi n.sp. von Korfu (Spilaio Anthropograva), Roncus pieperi n.sp. von Kefalonia (Grotten Fitidi und Drogarati) und Roncus giachinoi n.sp. vom kontinentalen Griechenland, Arkanania (Megalo Spilio).

Examination of the type material of the forgotten species Liocranum ochraceum Simon, 1867 reveals this species has to be transferred to the genus Anagraphis comb. nov. and that Anagraphis pallida (Hadjissarantos, 1940) is its junior synonym (syn. nov.). Furthermore, the monotypic genus Macedoniella Drensky, 1935 is a junior synonym of Anagraphis and M. karamani a junior synonym of Anagraphis ochraceum (L. Koch, 1867) (syn. nov.).

Die Untersuchung des Typus-Materials von Liocranum ochraceum L. Koch, 1867 ergab, dass diese Art zur Gattung Anagraphis comb. nov. gehört. Anagraphis pallida (Hadjissarantos, 1940) ist ein jüngeres Synonym (syn. nov.). Die monotypische Gattung Macedoniella Drensky, 1935 ist ein Synonym der Gattung Anagraphis und M. karamani ein Synonym der Art Anagraphis ochraceum (L. Koch, 1867) (syn. nov.).