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 crassicauda
Sigaus collinus
Sigaus childi
Sigaus dugdali
Sigaus minutus
Sigaus nitidus
Sigaus nivalis
Sigaus piliferus
Sigaus robustus
Sigaus tumidicauda
Sigaus villosus

Contents

Sigaus is a genus of grasshoppers in the tribe Catantopini that is endemic to New Zealand. All but one Sigaus species is endemic to the South Island: Sigaus piliferus is the only North Island representative [2] and is the type species. Most species in this genus are restricted to alpine habitats. All are wingless and make no sounds.

There are thirteen species in the genus [3] all are adapted to cold conditions, [4] and many are coloured for camouflage against rocky ground. [5] [6] The largest species Sigaus villosus can reach 48mm (body length of adult female). [5] The smallest species Sigaus minutus and S. childi are threatened with extinction. [7]

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of New Zealand endemic grasshoppers was substantially revised by Bigelow in 1967, based mostly on female genitalia, [5] and again in 2023 using genetic data. [3] 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. [3] 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. [8] The genus is monophyletic and sister to grasshoppers from Tasmania, Australia. [9]

Sigaus australisSigaus campestrisSigaus childiSigaus australis (homerensis)Sigaus minutusSigaus piliferusSigaus australis (obelisci)Sigaus australis (takahe)Sigaus villosus
Photograph NZAcrididae18.JPG NZAcrididae20.JPG NZAcrididae1.JPG Sighom1.JPG NZAcrididae21.JPG Sigaus piliferus by Hannes Oberreiter.jpg NZAcrididae19.JPG NZAcrididae8.JPG
Elevation [10] 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 [11] 1897 [1]
Hutton		1897
Hutton		1999 [12]
Jamieson		2003 [13]
Morris		1967 [14]
Bigelow		1897
Hutton		1967
Bigelow		2003
Morris		1950 [15]
Salmon
Habitat [16] Tussock grasslandsDry rocky hillsides/
tussock grasslands		Dry rocky hillsidesTussock grasslandsFluvial outwashTussock grasslandsAlpine lichen fieldsTussock grasslandsScree
Polymorphism [17] 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 [18] MediumMedium/largeMediumMediumVery smallLargeLargeMediumLarge
Status [19] Not threatenedNot threatenedNationally CriticalRange RestrictedNationally EndangeredNot threatenedRange RestrictedRange RestrictedNot threatened
Wings [20] 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>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>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>Sigaus tumidicauda</i> Species of grasshopper

Sigaus tumidicauda is a species of alpine grasshopper, endemic to New Zealand. Like all of New Zealand sub-alpine and alpine grasshoppers, S. 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. This grasshopper is flightless.

<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>Sigaus crassicauda</i> Species of grasshopper

Sigaus crassicauda is a species of alpine grasshopper endemic to New Zealand. Like all of New Zealand sub-alpine and alpine grasshoppers S. crassicauda has a 2 or 3 years life cycle. The eggs must ‘overwinter’ before they will hatch. Grasshoppers are found throughout the year and adult grasshoppers can be found throughout the New Zealand summer between December and April. Sigaus crassicauda cannot fly.

<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 13 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>Sigaus nivalis</i> Species of insect

Sigaus nivalis, is an alpine short-horned grasshopper, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Sigaus 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>Paprides</i> Genus of grasshoppers

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>Tasmaniacris</i> Genus of grasshoppers

Tasmaniacris is a genus of short-horned grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. There is one described species in Tasmaniacris, T. tasmaniensis, found in Tasmania. This grasshopper is flightless (micropterous). T. tasmaniensis is sister to the Tasmanian Russalpia species.

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

The Green Rock-hopper grasshopper, Sigaus 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.

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

Sigaus campestris is a species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in South Island of New Zealand. This species is fairly widespread in Canterbury and Otago, found from 400 to 1,200 m above sea level. Sigaus campestris is a flightless species and expected to lose 45 - 67% of its current range due to climate change. Sigaus campestris is sister to the endangered species Sigaus minutus.

<i>Sigaus piliferus</i> Species of short-horned grasshopper

Sigaus piliferus is a species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in New Zealand. Sigaus piliferus is restricted to alpine and sub-alpine habitats in North Island New Zealand. This grasshopper species has two ecotypes - the shubland form in the north with relatively long legs and the alpine form in the south. The two ecotypes were probably isolated during the last glacial maximum but are now in contact in the central volcanic region of North Island.

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

Sigaus nitidus is a species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae, endemic to New Zealand. This alpine grasshopper species is flightless and silent.

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. ↑ Meza-Joya, Fabio Leonardo; Morgan-Richards, Mary; Trewick, Steven A. (2024). "Phenotypic and genetic divergence in a cold-adapted grasshopper may lead to lineage-specific responses to rapid climate change". Diversity and Distributions. 30 (6). doi: 10.1111/ddi.13848 . ISSN   1366-9516.
  3. 1 2 3 Trewick, Steven A.; Koot, Emily M.; Morgan-Richards, Mary (2023). "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.
  4. ↑ Koot, Emily M.; Morgan-Richards, Mary; Trewick, Steven A. (2022). "Climate change and alpine-adapted insects: modelling environmental envelopes of a grasshopper radiation". Royal Society Open Science. 9 (3). Bibcode:2022RSOS....911596K. doi:10.1098/rsos.211596. ISSN   2054-5703. PMC   8889178 . PMID   35316945.
  5. 1 2 3 Bigelow, R.S. 1967. The Grasshoppers of New Zealand, Their Taxonomy and Distribution. University of Canterbury, Christchurch. p. 60.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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. Bibcode:2012NZEnt..35..131T. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686318. ISSN   0077-9962. S2CID   219564547.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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. Bibcode:2020MolPE.14706783K. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106783. ISSN   1055-7903. PMID   32135305. S2CID   212567788.
  10. ↑ Species prefer altitude.
  11. ↑ The author and year the species was described.
  12. ↑ A new species of Sigaus from Alexandra, New Zealand (Orthoptera: Acrididae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 26: 43-48.
  13. ↑ 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
  14. ↑ Bigelow, R.S. 1967: The Grasshoppers of New Zealand, Their Taxonomy and Distribution. University of Canterbury, Christchurch.
  15. ↑ 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
  16. ↑ Species prefer habitat.
  17. ↑ The number of colour morphs known for adults of this species.
  18. ↑ Size for adult males: Small less than 6 mm; Medium 6-30 mm & Large greater than 30 mm.
  19. ↑ Base on the New Zealand Threat Classification System
  20. ↑ Species wing length.
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