Sigaus tumidicauda
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.
Distribution and habitat
Sigaus tumidicauda is known only from the Otago and Southland regions of the South Island of New Zealand. It can be found as far south as Cleughearn Peak and as far north as Mount Aurum Sigaus tumidicauda prefers alpine tussock grasslands between ; it can, however, be found as low as near the Nevis River It is one of three known species of alpine grasshoppers that are found in Fiordland, the other two being Sigaus homerensis and Sigaus takahe.Alpinacris tumidicauda is sister to the widespread species Sigaus australis. The genus Alpinacris included Alpinacris crassicauda previously thought to be sister to A. ''tumidicauda''. Climate change will reduce the current range of this species by 35 – 75%.
Species description
Sigaus tumidicauda is micropterous, with wings measuring between, making this species flightless like most New Zealand grasshoppers. Male body length is ; female body length is.Sigaus tumidicauda was described in 1967 by Robert Sidney Bigelow, in the genus Alpinacris, with a type locality of Obelisk in the Old Man Range A male holotype and paratype are deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.
Type information
- Bigelow, R. S.. The Grasshoppers of New Zealand, Their Taxonomy and Distribution. Christchurch: University of Canterbury
- Type locality: Obelisk, Old Man Range, Otago,
- Type specimen: Male; 3 December 1963; R. S. Bigelow. Holotype and paratype are deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.