Sigaus

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Sigaus
Sigaus piliferus 1895934.jpg
Sigaus piliferus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Caelifera
Family: Acrididae
Tribe: Catantopini
Genus: Sigaus
Hutton, 1897 [1]
Species

Sigaus australis
Sigaus campestris
Sigaus childi
Sigaus homerensis
Sigaus minutus
Sigaus piliferus
Sigaus obelisci
Sigaus takahe
Sigaus villosus

Contents

Sigaus of grasshoppers in the tribe Catantopini that isendemic to New Zealand, and all but one species is endemic to the South Island: Sigaus piliferus is the only North Island representative and is the type species. There are eight species in the genus; all are flightless, and many are coloured for camouflage against rocky ground. [2] [3] Sigaus minutus and S. childi are threatened with extinction. [4]

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of New Zealand endemic grasshoppers was substantially revised by Bigelow in 1967, based mostly on female genitalia, [2] and again in 2023 using genetic data. [5] The New Zealand radiation of cold-adapted grasshoppers is monophyletic but neither genetics nor morphology resolve distinctive genera, therefore it was suggested that all thirteen species be placed in the genus Sigaus. [5] The genus Sigaus is distinguished from other Acrididae as flightless, silent acridids with short tegmina, crypsis colouration and endemic to New Zealand. Each species has distinctive pronotum shape and structures of the internal male genitalia: the epiphallus lophi are saddle-like in shape with the mesal protuberance of the lophus having a smooth, rounded outline. [6] The genus is monophyletic and sister to grasshoppers from Tasmania, Australia. [7]

Sigaus australisSigaus campestrisSigaus childiSigaus homerensisSigaus minutusSigaus piliferusSigaus obelisciSigaus takaheSigaus villosus
Photograph NZAcrididae18.JPG NZAcrididae20.JPG NZAcrididae1.JPG Sighom1.JPG NZAcrididae21.JPG Sigaus piliferus by Hannes Oberreiter.jpg NZAcrididae19.JPG NZAcrididae8.JPG
Elevation [8] 1,300–1,700 m
(4,300–5,600 ft)
400–1,500 m
(1,300–4,900 ft)
200–500 m
(660–1,600 ft)
900–1,000 m
(3,000–3,300 ft)
300–800 m
(980–2,600 ft)
1,600–1,800 m
(5,200–5,900 ft)
1,000–1,400 m
(5,900–6,900 ft)
1,800–2,100 m
(–6,900 ft)
Described [9] 1897 [1]
Hutton
1897
Hutton
1999 [10]
Jamieson
2003 [11]
Morris
1967 [12]
Bigelow
1897
Hutton
1967
Bigelow
2003
Morris
1950 [13]
Salmon
Habitat [14] Tussock grasslandsDry rocky hillsides/
tussock grasslands
Dry rocky hillsidesTussock grasslandsFluvial outwashTussock grasslandsAlpine lichen fieldsTussock grasslandsScree
Polymorphism [15] Highly crypticHighly crypticHighly cryptic2Highly cryptic2Highly cryptic1
Regions Canterbury
Otago
Canterbury
Otago
Southland
Otago Southland Canterbury Waikato
Gisborne
Hawke's Bay
Manawatū-Whanganui
Wellington
Otago Southland Canterbury
Size [16] MediumMedium/largeMediumMediumVery smallLargeLargeMediumLarge
Status [17] Not threatenedNot threatenedNationally CriticalRange RestrictedNationally EndangeredNot threatenedRange RestrictedRange RestrictedNot threatened
Wings [18] Micropterous
2–3 mm
Micropterous
2–3 mm
Micropterous
1–2 mm
Micropterous
2–3 mm
Micropterous
1 mm
Micropterous
3–4 mm
Micropterous
3–4 mm
Micropterous
2–4 mm

Related Research Articles

Insulanoplectron is a genus of cave wētā in the family Rhaphidophoridae, with just one species: the Snares Island Wētā. Insulanoplectron spinosum is endemic to the subantartic Snares Island of New Zealand, where it is considered to be naturally uncommon. Wētā are nocturnal crickets found all around the world. During the day on the Snares, wētā can be found hiding in seabird burrows.

<i>Pleioplectron</i> Genus of orthopteran insects

Pleioplectron is a genus of cave wētā in the family Rhaphidophoridae, endemic to New Zealand. These wētā are fairly common at night among the leaf litter in native forest in the South Island of New Zealand. The species look very similar to species of Miotopus, another New Zealand endemic genus, recently resurrected.

<i>Sigaus homerensis</i> Species of grasshopper

Sigaus homerensis is a grasshopper endemic to the southern South Island of New Zealand. It is known only from three isolated populations in Fiordland.

<i>Sigaus childi</i> Species of grasshopper endemic to New Zealand and classified as critically endangered

Sigaus childi is an endangered protected species of grasshopper known only from the Alexandra district of the South Island of New Zealand. It is one of just two species of grasshopper listed for protection under the New Zealand Wildlife Act 1953. It is currently classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation. The genus Sigaus is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Brachaspis robustus</i> Species of grasshopper

Brachaspis robustus is a nationally endangered species of grasshopper endemic to the Mackenzie Basin of the South Island of New Zealand. The genus Brachaspis is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Although a grasshopper, it is a poor jumper, relying on camouflage to hide from predators. It is threatened by introduced mammals such as stoats, hedgehogs, and rats.

<i>Sigaus villosus</i> Species of grasshopper

Sigaus villosus is New Zealand's largest grasshopper. It is only found in the central mountains of the South Island. The genus Sigaus is endemic to the New Zealand. Like all of New Zealand sub-alpine and alpine grasshoppers S. villosus has a 2 or 3 years life cycle. The eggs must ‘overwinter’ before they will hatch. Hoppers are found throughout the year and adult grasshoppers can be found throughout the New Zealand summer between December and April. Adult S. villosus do not overwinter.

<i>Alpinacris tumidicauda</i> Species of grasshopper

Alpinacris tumidicauda is a species of grasshopper only known from Otago and Southland, New Zealand. The genus Alpinacris is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. A. tumidicauda was described in 1967 by Robert Sidney Bigelow, with a type locality of Obelisk in the Old Man Range (45°19′22″S169°12′27″E). A male holotype and paratype are deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch. Like all of New Zealand sub-alpine and alpine grasshoppers, A. tumidicauda has a 2- or 3-year life cycle. The eggs must "overwinter" before they will hatch. Hoppers are found throughout the year, and adult grasshoppers can be found throughout the New Zealand summer between December and April. The adult A. tumidicauda do not overwinter.

<i>Deinacrida connectens</i> Species of orthopteran insect

Deinacrida connectens, often referred to as the alpine scree wētā, is one of New Zealand's largest alpine invertebrates and is a member of the Anostostomatidae family. Deinacrida connectens is a flightless nocturnal insect that lives under rocks at high elevation. Mountain populations vary in colour. This species is the most widespread of the eleven species of giant wētā (Deinacrida).

<i>Sigaus australis</i> Species of grasshopper

Sigaus australis is the most common alpine grasshopper found in New Zealand. It can be found in the southern half of the South Island above the tree line. Sigaus australis was described in 1897 by Frederick Hutton. Like all of New Zealand sub-alpine and alpine grasshoppers S. australis has a 2 or 3 years life cycle. Individuals can survive the cold by freezing solid at any life stage, at any time of the year. Sigaus australis adults are relatively large grasshoppers. The genus Sigaus is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Alpinacris crassicauda</i> Species of grasshopper

Alpinacris crassicauda is a species of grasshopper only known from West Coast Region and Tasman Region, New Zealand. The genus Alpinacris is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. A. crassicauda was described in 1967 by Robert Sidney Bigelow, with a type locality of Lead Hills, Boulder Lake. A male holotype and paratype are deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch. Like all of New Zealand sub-alpine and alpine grasshoppers A. crassicauda has a 2 or 3 years life cycle. The eggs must ‘overwinter’ before they will hatch. Hoppers are found throughout the year and adult grasshoppers can be found throughout the New Zealand summer between December and April. The adult A. crassicauda do not overwinter.

<i>Phaulacridium marginale</i> Species of grasshopper

Phaulacridium marginale is a small species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is endemic to New Zealand where it is found in low elevation open habitat throughout North Island, South Island, Stewart Island and on many smaller islands.

<i>Phaulacridium otagoense</i> Species of grasshopper

Phaulacridium otagoense is an endemic New Zealand grasshopper found at low elevation throughout the central South Island.

<i>Phaulacridium</i> Genus of grasshoppers

Phaulacridium is a genus of grasshoppers in the tribe Catantopini from Australia and New Zealand. These short-horned grasshoppers have a single generation each year

<i>Sigaus minutus</i> Species of grasshopper

Sigaus minutus is a species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is one of the smallest and rarest species of grasshopper in New Zealand, found only in the Mackenzie district of South Island. There are nine species within the genus Sigaus described by Bigelow (1967), all endemic to New Zealand. The population status of Sigaus minutus is declining according to threat assessments made by orthopteran experts in 2010.

<i>Brachaspis nivalis</i> Species of insect

Brachaspis nivalis, is an alpine short-horned grasshopper, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Brachaspis nivalis is brachypterous and flightless, therefore they travel by hopping. They bask during the day so need open habitat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wētā</span> Informal group of orthopteran insects

Wētā is the common name for a group of about 100 insect species in the families Anostostomatidae and Rhaphidophoridae endemic to New Zealand. They are giant flightless crickets, and some are among the heaviest insects in the world. Generally nocturnal, most small species are carnivores and scavengers while the larger species are herbivorous. Although some endemic birds likely prey on them, wētā are disproportionately preyed upon by introduced mammals, and some species are now critically endangered.

<i>Brachaspis</i> Genus of insects

Brachaspis is a genus of grasshoppers belonging to the family Acrididae.

<i>Hemiandrus focalis</i> Species of orthopteran insect

Hemiandrus focalis is a species of ground wētā endemic to New Zealand. This flightless Orthoptera lives in the mountains of the South Island, New Zealand. This species can be distinguished from other ground wētā by their three superior retrolateral spines on their mid tibia and females have relatively long ovipositors. This omnivorous ground wētā species is listed as "not threatened" by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

<i>Paprides</i>

Paprides is a genus of short-horned grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. There are at least two described species in Paprides, found in New Zealand. Both species were moved to the genus Sigaus in 2023

<i>Brachaspis collinus</i> Species of grasshopper

The Green Rock-hopper grasshopper, Brachaspis collinus is an alpine species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in New Zealand in the mountains of northern South Island, above the tree line and as high as 2000 m asl. In New Zealand alpine grasshoppers can freeze solid at any time of the year and are alive when they thaw out when temperatures rise.

References

  1. 1 2 Hutton, F.W. 1897: "The grasshoppers and locusts of New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands". Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 30: 135-50
  2. 1 2 Bigelow, R.S. 1967. The Grasshoppers of New Zealand, Their Taxonomy and Distribution. University of Canterbury, Christchurch. p. 60.
  3. Jamieson, Colleen D. (1999). "A new species of Sigaus from Alexandra, New Zealand (Orthoptera: Acrididae)". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 26 (1): 43–48. doi: 10.1080/03014223.1999.9518176 . ISSN   0301-4223.
  4. Trewick, S. A.; Morris, S. J.; Johns, P. M.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Stringer, I. A.N. (2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand Orthoptera". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 131–136. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686318. ISSN   0077-9962. S2CID   219564547.
  5. 1 2 Trewick, Steven A.; Koot, Emily M.; Morgan-Richards, Mary (2023-12-11). "Māwhitiwhiti Aotearoa: Phylogeny and synonymy of the silent alpine grasshopper radiation of New Zealand (Orthoptera: Acrididae)". Zootaxa. 5383 (2): 225–241. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5383.2.7 . ISSN   1175-5334.
  6. Morris, S.J. 2002: Identification guide to grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Central Otago and Mackenzie Country. DOC Science Internal Series 26. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 17 p.
  7. Koot, Emily M.; Morgan-Richards, Mary; Trewick, Steven A. (2020). "An alpine grasshopper radiation older than the mountains, on Kā Tiritiri o te Moana (Southern Alps) of Aotearoa (New Zealand)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 147: 106783. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106783. ISSN   1055-7903. PMID   32135305. S2CID   212567788.
  8. Species prefer altitude.
  9. The author and year the species was described.
  10. A new species of Sigaus from Alexandra, New Zealand (Orthoptera: Acrididae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 26: 43-48.
  11. Morris, S.J. 2003: "Two new species of Sigaus from Fiordland, New Zealand (Orthoptera: Acrididae)". New Zealand entomologist, 26: 65–74. PDF Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Bigelow, R.S. 1967: The Grasshoppers of New Zealand, Their Taxonomy and Distribution. University of Canterbury, Christchurch.
  13. Salmon, J.T. 1950: A new species of Acrididae (Insecta: Orthoptera) from New Zealand. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Vol. 78, Part 1, page 69, February 1950
  14. Species prefer habitat.
  15. The number of colour morphs known for adults of this species.
  16. Size for adult males: Small less than 6 mm; Medium 6-30 mm & Large greater than 30 mm.
  17. Base on the New Zealand Threat Classification System
  18. Species wing length.