Kapanga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kapanga |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Hahniidae |
| Genus: | Kapanga Forster, 1970 |
| Type species | |
| K. wiltoni Forster, 1970
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| Species | |
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10, see text |
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| Synonyms | |
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Kapanga is a group of tiny spiders, also known as a genus, that live in the South Pacific. These spiders are often called "dwarf sheet spiders" because of their small size and the way they build their webs. A scientist named Raymond Robert Forster first described them in 1970.
What are Kapanga Spiders?
Kapanga spiders belong to a family called Hahniidae. This family is known for its very small spiders. They are often hard to spot because they are so tiny! These spiders are also called "dwarf sheet spiders" because they spin flat, sheet-like webs close to the ground. They use these webs to catch small insects.
Where Do Kapanga Spiders Live?
All known Kapanga spiders live in New Zealand. This makes them special because they are native to this island nation. Scientists continue to study these spiders to learn more about their habitats and how they survive in their environment.
Species of Kapanga
As of May 2019, there are ten known species of Kapanga spiders. Each one was identified and named by scientists. The "type species" is like the main example for the whole group. For Kapanga, the type species is Kapanga wiltoni.
Here are the ten species:
- Kapanga alta Forster, 1970 – Found in New Zealand
- Kapanga festiva Forster, 1970 – Found in New Zealand
- Kapanga grana Forster, 1970 – Found in New Zealand
- Kapanga hickmani (Forster, 1964) – Found in New Zealand (specifically Auckland Islands)
- Kapanga isulata (Forster, 1970) – Found in New Zealand
- Kapanga luana Forster, 1970 – Found in New Zealand
- Kapanga mana Forster, 1970 – Found in New Zealand
- Kapanga manga Forster, 1970 – Found in New Zealand
- Kapanga solitaria (Bryant, 1935) – Found in New Zealand
- Kapanga wiltoni Forster, 1970 (type) – Found in New Zealand
See also
In Spanish: Kapanga (araña) para niños
