Reinga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reinga
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Desidae
Genus:	Reinga Forster & Wilton, 1973
Type species
R. media Forster & Wilton, 1973
Species
5, see text

Reinga is a group, or genus, of special spiders. These spiders live in the South Pacific region. They are known as intertidal spiders. This means they live in the area between high and low tide marks. Scientists Raymond Robert Forster and C. L. Wilton first described them in 1973.

Discovering Reinga Spiders

The Reinga spiders were first officially described in 1973. This was done by two scientists, Raymond Robert Forster and C. L. Wilton. When scientists "describe" a species, it means they give it a name. They also write down its features so others can identify it. This helps us learn more about the amazing creatures on our planet.

Species of Reinga Spiders

As of April 2019, there are five known species in the Reinga group. All of these unique spiders are found only in New Zealand.

Here are the five species:

• Reinga apica Forster & Wilton, 1973 – Found in New Zealand
• Reinga aucklandensis (Marples, 1959) – Found in New Zealand
• Reinga grossa Forster & Wilton, 1973 – Found in New Zealand
• Reinga media Forster & Wilton, 1973 – Found in New Zealand
• Reinga waipoua Forster & Wilton, 1973 – Found in New Zealand

Where Reinga Spiders Live

Reinga spiders are called "intertidal spiders." This means they live in a very specific place. They make their homes in the area of the seashore that is covered by water during high tide. It then becomes dry land during low tide. This environment can be tough. Spiders living here need special ways to survive. They must handle both being underwater and being exposed to the air. They are often found hiding under rocks or in cracks. This protects them from waves and predators.

See also

In Spanish: Reinga (animal) para niños