''Sigaus homerensis'' is a grasshopper endemic to the southern
South Island
The South Island, also officially named , is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand in surface area, the other being the smaller but more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman ...
of
New Zealand. It is known only from three isolated populations in
Fiordland.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution of ''S. homerensis'' is not known to overlap with that of any other grasshopper species and it is known only from the Earl Mountains.
[Morris, S.J. 2003: Two new species of ''Sigaus'' from Fiordland, New Zealand (Orthoptera: Acrididae). ''New Zealand entomologist'', 26: 65–74]
PDF
''S. homerensis'' is one of three known alpine grasshoppers found in
Fiordland, the other species being ''
Alpinacris tumidicauda
''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, ...
'' and ''
Sigaus takahe''.
Known sites of ''S. homerensis'' are regularly swept clear of tall plants by avalanches, making these areas more sparsely vegetated than the surrounding. Similar terrain and vegetation is found outside the known distribution, however, ''S. homerensis'' are not found in these areas. A possible explanation of this could be associated with avalanches, vegetation height and sunshine hours. This region receives high rainfall (about 8000 mm/year) coupled with the lowest sunshine hours in New Zealand (1400 to 1600 h/year). It appears that these small cleared areas are better for ''S. homerensis'' than avalanche-free areas with their taller vegetation. New Zealand Acrididae are diurnal sun-baskers and require basking surface to become active for the day.
''S. homerensis'' prefer altitudes between , however, it can be found as low as and as high as .
File:Sighom2.JPG, A overview of the ''S. homerensis'' habitat.
File:Sighom3.jpg, A closeup view of the ''S. homerensis'' habitat.
Species description
The wings on ''S. homerensis'' are micropterous (small wings) between making this species flightless like most of New Zealand grasshoppers. Male body length ; Female body length .
Type information
*Morris, S.J. 2003: Two new species of ''Sigaus'' from Fiordland, New Zealand (Orthoptera: Acrididae). ''New Zealand entomologist'', 26: 65–74
PDF*Type locality:
Homer Tunnel, ,
Fiordland.
*Type specimen: Male; 28 February 2003; Simon J Morris;
Holotype is deposited in the
Canterbury Museum,
Christchurch and
Paratype are deposited in the
Canterbury Museum,
Christchurch and
Otago Museum
Tūhura Otago Museum is located in the city centre of Dunedin, New Zealand. It is adjacent to the University of Otago campus in Dunedin North, 1,500 metres northeast of the city centre. It is one of the city's leading attractions and has one of t ...
,
Dunedin.
Polymorphism
Two colour morphs are known for adults ''S. homerensis'', 'Drab gold' and 'Dark blue-grey'.
Approximately two-thirds of the adults ''S. homerensis'' are of the 'Drab Gold' colour morph.
References
External links
* ''Sigaus homerensis'' discussed on
RNZ
Radio New Zealand ( mi, Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa), commonly known as Radio NZ or simply RNZ, is a New Zealand public-service radio broadcaster and Crown entity that was established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. It operates news and cu ...
''
Critter of the Week''
26 April 2019{{Taxonbar, from=Q7511969
Acrididae of New Zealand
Insects described in 2003
Acrididae
Endemic insects of New Zealand