New data on introduced and rare synanthropic spider species

,

mens of C. furculatum were found in grapes imported from South Africa (14) and Morocco (3).
with the collected specimens there were reported several empty cocoons and exuviae of spiders of the genus Cheiracanthium C.L. KOCH, 1839, which probably belonged to the representatives of C. furculatum. The climatic conditions in Central and Western Europe rather exclude an acclimatization of C. furculatum in the wild, but it is likely that this species may be settling in the south of the continent. The species is widespread in Southern and South-Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. It occurs both on the herbaceous plants and under stones in a variety of warm environments (31,69). Often inhabits orchards of pomegranates, olives and citrus fruits (69,73), which explains how the two juveniles were introduced to Poland. This species is widely distributed across the pantropical belt (77). On the base of a distribution of other species of the genus Triaeris SIMON, 1891, it is likely that it originated in East Africa or India. According to Nentwig et al. (69) and Nentwig (68), its homeland is Central America. from tropics it was introduced into the greenhouses of the botanical gardens and similar locations in france, Germany (42,44,92), finland (69), Czech Republic (50) and in Slovakia (49,51). Probably, the only introduced spider in Europe reproducing itself exclusively by parthenogenesis (49,51). The species is listed from the Iberian Peninsula, through whole Southern Europe, Turkey, Middle East, the Caucasus to Central Asia. It is also recorded in Egypt (25,69,72,101,105). Like other spiders from the family Titanoecidae, it occurs under stones and among low plants in dry areas of high insolation (69,101). El-hennawy (25) also reports that N. albomaculata was numerous on arable lands and in greenhouses, which indicates a potential synanthropization of this species.

Family: Sparassidae
Both juveniles were collected in the leaf stalks of pomegranates, which is slightly unusual place for this species, because it occurs mainly under stones in a variety of warm, dry, rocky habitats (69). In Turkey, it was recorded from the orchards of pomegranates (73) so importing along with these fruits seems to be likely. NEW  This spider is widespread in Central and Southern Europe (69) and also was introduced into North America (59). It inhabits mainly anthropogenic habitats, caves, crevices, spaces under rocks, caves, cellars and similar environments (1,69,86).
In Poland it is known from sites located in the western and central parts of the country (78), to the East it becomes rare ( fig. 2). The alleged presence in the high Tatras (78,93,99) is certainly a mistake, as it has been highlighted already by Kulczyński (56). This western European species was introduced to North America (33,74,59) and New zealand (29). In Western Europe Amaurobius similis is a widespread species. It occurs both in natural and anthropogenic environments -under rocks in the woods, under the protruding bark of trees, in the ruins, the basements, crevices in the walls, cellars, etc. (33,69). In Central Europe it is rare and noted only in synanthropic habitats (69).
Notes: Nentwig (68) and Nentwig et al. (69) described A. similis as a species of North American origin, brought over to Europe. however, American authors (59,74) consider it as an European species, introduced into the USA and Canada. The European origin of A. similis is indicated by the lack of morphologically related species in North America, with their simultaneous presence in Europe, e.g. A. obtusus L. KOCH, 1868, A. fenestralis (STRöM, 1768).

Cheiracanthium mildei L. koch, 1864
Lublin-Bronowice [fB 17], Grabskiego Str. discount store, in pomegranate (import from Turkey) 18 1 In addition to above mentioned specimens of Ch. mildei, in pomegranates and grapes unidentiied remnants of several dead specimens, exuviae and very young spiders belonging to genus Cheiracanthium likely representing Ch. mildei have been found. This Mediterranean species was also introduced into the New World (105). In Southern Europe and the Middle East it is very common and frequent in orchards, vineyards, gardens (13,65,66,93,107). In Central and Western Europe it is still fairly rare, though increasingly more often recorded, usually in gardens and innercity parks. It is an invasive species (32,36,64,67,96,107).
The presence of C. mildei in Poland was recently reported on the basis of a single juvenile individual found in pomegranate (83). A number of further indings, suggests that the scale of import of this species with fruit to Poland and presumably to other countries of Central Europe is signiicant. findings of females, cocoons and juveniles of C. mildei in imported fruits suggest the possibility of a sustained acclimatization, e.g. in heated all year round fruit ripening depots or storage buildings. This is also one of the few spider species found in Central Europe, whose bites can cause clinical symptoms in humans in the form of nausea and vomiting (69).   Spider species native to North America, introduced in the second half of the 20th century to Europe and now colonized most of the countries of Western and Central Europe (69,83). In Poland, until now, rarely found (82, 83) but presented materials indicate that this expansive species of spider has been already widespread ( fig. 5). Tropical species originated in South-East Asia and introduced to Europe. It inhabits the spaces under rocks, pieces of wood or lower pots in damp and warm greenhouses of botanical gardens, zoos, etc. locations (10,43,83). It is known so far from few sites in England (88), Germany (43,45), Poland (10, 83) and hungary (76). New indings presented in this study, indicate that Nesticella mogera is wider distributed in Poland, and probably also in Europe.
Southern European species is widespread in the Mediterranean basin, where it occurs both in the wild and synanthropic habitat. In last decades clearly in expansion, as evidenced by expanding range and increasing number of indings in Western and Central Europe (32,52,69,79,92). In Poland reported from Lublin only (84), but there it did not produce a permanent population (Rozwałka, unpubl.). Presented observations from Bydgoszcz give a proof that H. pluchei has been established permanently in Poland.
Spider reported from Central, Western and Southern Europe (with exception of the Balkans and Turkey), southern Russia and Georgia (69). In the South-Western Europe and the Caucasus, found in various warm rocky environments (15,62). In the western and central part of the continent it is synanthropic, inhabiting well sun-heated walls and roofs of buildings, sometimes even entering into their interiors (5,32,33,69). The species is common in Western Europe, but in Central Europe is rare. In the recent years expansion of P. lanigera is observed (12,92,102).
Despite the expansion, in Poland Pseudeuophrys lanigera is still very rare synanthropic species, previously reported only from Wroclaw (100) and Sady near Poznań (83). This species is native to the Mediterranean region but now becomes cosmopolitan as a result of the numerous introductions (69,105). Recently, its range is clearly expanding to the North and the North-East of Europe. An increasing number of known sites in Germany (92) or Poland (53,83, this data) is an evidence of its spread occurrence. Data from Silesia without closer localization (8,101), not marked in figure 7.
finding of this species in imported pomegranate fruits may indicate a potential way in which this spider can travel from the south of the continent to Central Europe. Species from West and Central Africa, currently spread over almost the entire pantropical area and partially in moderate climate (69,105). In Poland creates large populations in greenhouses of big horticultural holdings (83). It also occurs in small populations in large garden centres or potted lowers wholesalers. Individual specimens are transported to the lower shops and then they are often moved to homes (81).

Family: Uloboridae
Mermessus trilobatus -the species, initially recorded in Poland as introduced with potted plants (82), was soon found in several natural locations (83). Currently, it quickly colonized most of the territory of Poland and is commonly recorded in a variety of natural environments, up to high-altitude grasslands in the Tatra Mountains. The other listed species are occasionally introduced with fruits (Cheiracanthium mildei, Icius hamatus) or with potted plants (Holocnemus pluchei, Nesticella mogera, Uloborus plumipes). In the case of Pseudeuophrys lanigera, the ways of its spread as well as its status are not obvious. Our record, on the sun-heated wall of the historic Palace, is in accordance with previously described environment for this species (5,33,69), and might indicate a gradual acclimatization of this spider to the climatic conditions prevailing in Poland.
The present discovery of stable, autochthonous populations of Holocnemus pluchei and Triaeris stenaspis in Poland, may point out that similar localizations of these species in Poland are possible and indicate their expansion. Most of newly discovered species (Aphantaulax trifasciata, Cheiracanthium furculatum, Nurscia albomaculata, Phoneutria boliviensis) were represented by single or few specimens imported in fruits. They may be treated as species incidentally introduced, with very limited chances for acclimatization and producing local populations. In contrast, the species spread with potted plants (Holocnemus pluchei, Nesticella mogera, Triaeris stenapis) are easily inding favourable conditions in greenhouses etc., and create local populations (68). These relationships are clear, when the differences in the methods of transport are compared. In fruits, the spiders are often transported in a low temperature and at reduced oxygen content in the atmosphere (68). Then, they eventually go to a totally different environment in comparison with that they come from. In contrast, species occurred on the potted plants are transported along with part of their niche, in stable thermal conditions and with optimal humidity for plants, usually also exotic and thermophilic. hence, the introduced spiders are in a better shape and they are going to new places with "part of their environment" (68). On the base of the data, concerning the spiders introduced with fruits, we have to note that this is the pathway of the spread of aggressive species like Ch. furculatum or potentially harmful for human health (Cheiracanthium mildei) or even life (Phoneutria boliviensis).