Fine structure of the compound eyes of the midwater amphipod Phronima in relation to behavior and habitat

Abstract

Pelagic amphipods belonging to the genus Phronima have four compound eyes; two lateral eyes and two large transparent medial eyes which comprise the entire top of the head. The eyes are structurally similar but the crystalline cones of the medial eyes are more than twenty times as long as those of the lateral eyes, reaching 5 mm in a large animal. The dioptric system of each ommatidium consists of an unfaceted cornea, a layer of hypodermal cells, two rudimentary cone cells, two cells which surround and form the crystalline cone, and the cone itself. The cone and its surrounding cells penetrate the layer of accessory pigment cells which surrounds the retina. The fused rhabdom is formed by the five retinula cells but is separated from them by an extracellular palisade which is crossed by bridges. The retinula cell nuclei lie proximal to the basement membrane. Further proximally the bundle of retinula cell axons is crossed by a second basement membrane, which surrounds each axon with a collar. Medial and lateral eyes on each side of the head share a common lamina. The medial eyes of Phronima appear to be a solution to the problem of remaining inconspicuous to predators while still maintaining sensitivity and resolution.