Zoropsis spinimana, a newcomer to the UK

I'm an admin on a very successful facebook group called British Spider Identification that was started by the lovely Jenni Cox. Anyway a several days ago, a lady posted a photo of a distinctive looking spider that she had found in her garden shed in Richmond, Surrey. Straight away it was identified as a Zoropsis spinimana. This is a large, heavy set, slow moving spider, (by UK standards, that is), that doesn't build a web but actively hunts its prey. Traditionally a Mediterranean species, Zoropsis spinimana has established itself in the USA and UK. Most records for this species in the UK have been in London and the outlying areas. Anyway, after the photo was posted in the group, I got in contact with the lady (her names Sue) and asked her if she could send me the specimen. Sue sent it the following morning and I received it the following day. When I got in from work later that day, I must say I was like a kid in a sweet shop, proper excited to say the least. I open the parcel and wasn't disappointed! She is quite a large specimen at 31mm body length and nearly 2 inch leg span. Her abdomen is absolutely massive, so there's always the possibility of her being gravid. I took her out for a few quick photos and to be fair, they were quite rushed as she was very sluggish and and obviously stressed by her Royal Mail trip, special delivery class! I've now had her for a few days and she has livened up no end. Very docile species and walks with a tarantula gait, and I'm chuffed to have her in my collection.

This was the photo that was posted on the Facebook
group British Spider Identification by Sue.

This photo shows the eye arrangement, though the PLEs aren't very clear.

The beautiful carapace markings of Zoropsis spinimana.

Dorsal view 

Handling this very docile species.

Amaurobius similis gets the reflection treatment.

             Ok, weather has been really bad, rain, wind and everything else that comes with it, so no chance to get out with the camera. So last night I popped out to the garage and a female Amaurobius similis (lace web spider) dropped onto my arm, fate or what!! I put her into a container and earlier today she got the reflection treatment (like a boss)......

3 species on a single ivy leaf.

At the bottom of my garden I have mixed woodland with a stream that runs through it, a lovely place to while away the hours spider hunting.

Yep, that's me, actually a couple of years ago
trying out the new camera.

A couple of days ago after finishing early at work, the woodland beckoned. First port of call was the ivy. Anyway I'm hunting amongst the ivy and one leaf caught my eye, being heavily webbed and an obvious Clubionid retreat. On closer inspection I could see the instantly recognizable lime green of a female Nigma walckenaeri. She had incorporated her retreat with the Clubionids retreat. I retrieved the leaf and took it home to photograph the species. It was only when I started to take photographs that a third spider was found in the same silk retreat as the Clubionid. I'm not sure what species the third spider is. It was about 2mm at max.  

Clubiona species in her silken retreat.

Female Nigma walckenaeri going for a stroll.

I love the composition of this photo, with the N.walckenaeri
the main character in focus, going about her business and
the Clubionid slightly out of focus at the entrance of her lair,

This is the unidentified species that had made it's home
in the Clubionids retreat.