Rediscovery of the extremely rare running crab spider Philodromus (Artanes) poecilus (Thorell, 1872) in Bavaria, Germany, after 141 years (Araneae, Philodromidae)

Abstract

Philodromus poecilus (Thorell, 1872) is a Transeurasian species reported from most parts of Europe except the British Isles and the Iberian Peninsula. Although widely distributed, this species is extremely rarely recorded in Germany and neighbouring countries. In Bavaria, it has not been found since the time of Ludwig Koch (1825–1908). Recently, sev-eral specimens were collected from urban plane trees in Deggendorf (Lower Bavaria), proving that the species is still present in Bavaria. Additionally, images of the copulatory organs and of living and preserved specimens are presented, as is a compilation of records in Germany and neighbouring countries.