Sigaus
The genus Sigaus is endemic to New Zealand and with all but one species endemic to the South Island. Sigaus piliferus is currently the only representative of the endemic grasshopper genera found in the North Island. There are eight species within this genus. All species are flightless and many have colouration to camouflage against rocky ground. Sigaus minutus and S. childi are threatened species.
The genus Sigaus is distinguished from other genera within this family in New Zealand by the distinctive structures of the male genitalia. The epiphallus lophi are saddle-like in shape with the mesal protuberance of the lophus having a smooth, rounded outline. These structures are internal of the male genitalia. However, the genus is not monphyletic with respect to other New Zealand grasshoppers.
The taxonomy of New Zealand endemic grasshoppers was substantially revised by Bigelow in 1967. This review was mostly based on the female genitalia.
| Sigaus australis | Sigaus campestris | Sigaus childi | Sigaus homerensis | Sigaus minutus | Sigaus piliferus | Sigaus obelisci | Sigaus takahe | Sigaus villosus | |
| Photograph | |||||||||
| Elevation | 1,300-1,700 m | 400-1,500 m | 200–500 m | 900-1,000 m | 300–800 m | 1,600-1,800 m | 1,000-1,400 m | 1,800-2,100 m | |
| Described | 1897 Hutton | 1897 Hutton | 1999 Jamieson | 2003 Morris | 1967 Bigelow | 1897 Hutton | 1967 Bigelow | 2003 Morris | 1950 Salmon |
| Habitat | Tussock grasslands | Dry rocky hillsides/ Tussock grasslands | Dry rocky hillsides | Tussock grasslands | Fluvial outwashs | Tussock grasslands | Alpine lichen fields | Tussock grasslands | Srcees |
| Polymorphism | Highly crypsis | Highly crypsis | Highly crypsis | 2 | Highly crypsis | Highly crypsis | 1 | ||
| Regions | Canterbury Otago | Canterbury Otago Southland | Otago | Southland | Canterbury | Waikato Gisborne Hawke's Bay Manawatū-Whanganui Wellington | Otago | Southland | Canterbury |
| Size | Medium | Medium/large | Medium | Medium | Very small | Large | Large | Medium | Large |
| Threaten | Not threaten | Not threaten | Nationally Critical | Range Restricted | Nationally Endangered | Range Restricted | Range Restricted | Not threaten | |
| Wings | 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 |