The Mediterranean recluse spider Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820): a new invasive for Socotra Island (Yemen).

The presence of Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820), commonly known as the Mediterranean recluse spider, is recorded from Socotra Island (Yemen) for the first time. This originally circum-Mediterranean species is potentially harmful to humans, considering the strong cytotoxicity of the venom and the species often inhabiting human settlements. It has been shown that Loxosceles rufescens can easily be introduced to non-native areas with transported goods, and is hence an alien invasive species to nearly all other continents and many Islands. From the region, it was recorded from mainland Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. We conducted a wide survey and recorded the species across the entire Island of Socotra, in both natural and artificial habitats.