Carausius

Stål, 1875

Species Guides

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Carausius is a of stick insects (order ) in the Lonchodidae, tribe Lonchodini. in this genus exhibit the characteristic twig-like typical of many phasmids, with elongated bodies adapted for among vegetation. The genus was established by Stål in 1875. Carausius morosus, the Indian , is a well-studied species within this genus and has been used extensively in physiological research on locomotion and neuromuscular control.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Carausius: //kaˈraʊzius//

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Distribution

Records from China, Borneo, India, Java, and Malaya.

Behavior

Carausius morosus exhibits two types of periodic tarsal movements in the claw flexor system: wagging (faint, 80–120 movements per minute, observed in undisturbed resting animals) and waving (stronger, 8–22 per minute, more common in operated animals with severed ). reduces flexor muscle tonus and prolongs reflex latency in a pattern; these effects require an intact ventral nerve cord. Various stimuli can transiently reduce tonus and increase reflex latency. Waving movements involve 90–280 muscle potentials per movement from motoneuron(s) not responsible for tonus, can be suppressed by abdominal stimuli for 15 seconds to 3 minutes, and show phase-dependent responses to percussion stimuli that can shorten or lengthen intervals or terminate movements prematurely.

More Details

Taxonomic note

The name Carausius has also been applied historically to a 3rd-century Roman usurper emperor (Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius), but this is taxonomically unrelated to the insect genus established by Stål in 1875.

Research significance

Carausius morosus has been a model organism for neurophysiological studies of insect locomotion, particularly regarding the control of tarsal claws and proprioceptive feedback systems.

Sources and further reading