ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Compound eye
;
Musca domestica
;
Ommatidium
;
Distal retinula
;
Scanning electron microscopy
;
Corneal lens
;
Corneal pigment cell
;
Pseudocone
;
Semper cell
;
Basement membrane
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
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.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00221784
