Depth related variation in the structure and functioning of the compound eye of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus

Abstract

The mobility and quantity of retinula cell proximal screening pigment, and the liability of the eyes to light-induced damage, were investigated in the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (L.), obtained from three separate populations from depths of 18, 75, and 135 m.During the morning after capture, the migration of the proximal pigment in response to the onset of illumination below the threshold for damage varied between the three populations. In the eyes of deep water N. norvegicus, the proximal screening pigment was located close to or below the basement membrane when dark-adapted and rose to a position midway up the rhabdoms when light-adapted. In the dark-adapted N. norvegicus from shallow water the proximal pigment was located more distally than in eyes of deep water animals. After the onset of illumination, the pigment migrated distally to completely cover the rhabdoms. The amount of retinula cell proximal screening pigment was found to decrease linearly with depth.When dark-adapted individuals from each depth were exposed to light a positive correlation was obtained between the photon fluence rate (PER) and the proportion of the retina damaged. For a given light exposure the amount of damage was highest in animals from deeper water. The PFR causing 25% damage was approximately 1 log unit higher in animals from 18 m compared to those from 135 m.The amount of damage varied with the delay between capture of the animals and exposure to light. When exposed 2 h after capture significant differences between depths were seen but the results were influenced by the incomplete dark adaptation of some specimens.