Rhene facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhene |
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| Male Rhene flavicomans from Hong Kong | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Subfamily: | Salticinae |
| Genus: | Rhene Thorell, 1869 |
| Type species | |
| Rhanis flavigera C. L. Koch, 1846
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| Species | |
| Diversity | |
| 54 species | |
Rhene is a special group, or genus, of spiders. These spiders belong to the family called Salticidae, which are known as jumping spiders. They are famous for their amazing ability to jump far and accurately.
Contents
Meet the Rhene Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders are a very large group of spiders. They are known for their excellent eyesight and their unique way of hunting. Instead of building webs to catch prey, they stalk their prey and then jump on it! The Rhene spiders are part of this exciting family.
What Makes Rhene Spiders Special?
Rhene spiders are small to medium-sized. They have eight eyes, like most spiders. Four of these eyes are on the front of their head. These big eyes give them very good vision. This helps them spot tiny insects from a distance. It also helps them measure distances before they jump.
They use their strong back legs to launch themselves. This jump can be many times their own body length. It helps them catch flies, mosquitoes, and other small bugs.
Where Do Rhene Spiders Live?
Rhene spiders are found in many parts of the world. They live in places like Asia, Africa, and even parts of South America. This shows how adaptable they are to different environments. You might find them in gardens, forests, or even inside homes.
The History of the Name Rhene
The name of a spider group often has an interesting story. The Rhene spiders were first named Rhanis in 1846 by a scientist named C. L. Koch.
However, scientists later found a problem. The name Rhanis was already being used for a type of beetle since 1834. To avoid confusion, a new name was needed.
How Rhene Got Its Name
In 1869, another scientist, Tamerlan Thorell, gave the spiders a new name: Rhene. This new name comes from an old Greek woman's name, Rhene (which looks like Ῥήνη in Greek). This is how the Rhene spiders got their current scientific name.
Different Types of Rhene Spiders
There are many different kinds of Rhene spiders. As of 2018, scientists have identified 54 different species. Each species has its own unique features. They might have different colors, patterns, or slightly different body shapes.
Here are a few examples of Rhene species and where they live:
- Rhene atrata is found in places like Russia, China, and Japan.
- Rhene flavicomans lives in India, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
- Rhene flavigera is found from China to Sumatra. This is the main type of Rhene spider that helps define the group.
- Rhene citri is a species found in India. It was moved into the Rhene group in 2010.
- Rhene banksi and Rhene konradi are examples of Rhene spiders found in South Africa.
Scientists continue to study these amazing spiders. They learn more about their lives, their habitats, and how they fit into the natural world.
 | Janet Taylor Pickett |
 | Synthia Saint James |
 | Howardena Pindell |
 | Faith Ringgold |
