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The distal ommatidium of the compound eye of the housefly (Musca domestica): A scanning electron microscope study

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Summary

The distal aspect of the housefly ommatidium was surveyed by the scanning electron microscope. Attention was directed to the somal eminence of the superior central cell and the lens to large pigment cell junction. The underside of each lens facet exhibits six hexagonally arranged incisures. Into each of these indentations are fitted several large pigment cells. This hexagonal indentation appears to be a tenacious anchorage. Two corneal pigment cells laterally encircle the pseudocone and at their proximal extension they enclose the Semper cells and neck of the retinula. The somal eminence of the superior central cell is about 10 μm from the base of the corneal pigment cell enclosure. Micrographs were used to construct a diagram of the ommatidium above the basement membrane. Suggestions are made as to the functional correlates of the observed ommatidial structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Che Chi & Stanley D. Carlson

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  1. Che Chi
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  2. Stanley D. Carlson
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We are grateful for support from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School, Project 150304. Mrs. Maureen Griffiths is thanked for the schematic illustration.

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Chi, C., Carlson, S.D. The distal ommatidium of the compound eye of the housefly (Musca domestica): A scanning electron microscope study. Cell Tissue Res. 159, 379–385 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221784

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221784

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