The development of the compound eyes of Penaeus duorarum (Crustacea: Decapoda) with remarks on the nervous system.

Abstract

The development of the compound eyes and nervous system of the penaeid shrimp,Penaeus duorarum, from the first nauplius to the first postlarva, has been studied. The first anlage of the compound eyes is a pair of optic discs on the front of the animal. These increase in size through cell-division until the second protozoea stage, where the eye-stalks appear with ommatidia and optic neuropiles developed. The original neuroectoderm of the optic discs is retained in the shape of a proliferation zone throughout the life of the animal. From the optic discs, develop the ommatidia, the lamina ganglionaris, and the medulla externa. The medullae interna and terminalis develop from cells coming from the brain anlage. From the second protozoea and onwards, the development is less rapid. The final shape of the adult eye is reached during the postlarval stages and includes the appearance of a few more pigments and a perfecting of several features. A scheme for the development of crustacean compound eyes is laid down. Further, the medulla externa of the Malacostraca and the single medulla of non-malacostracan crustaceans are homologized. The continuous growth of the nervous system is traced in the development of the neuropile. The appearance of glomeruli structures is reported, as are also, to some extent, neurosecretory organs. The development of the SPX-organ conforms to that of other decapods.