Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Eyes, eye stalks and the visual world of semi-terrestrial crabs

  • Published:
Journal of Comparative Physiology A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    We used in vivo optical techniques to study compound eye organisation and the extent of eye stalk development in 17 species of semi-terrestrial crabs (Brachyura).

  2. 2.

    ‘Narrow-fronted’ species (Ocypodidae, Mictyridae) which have their eyes close together on elongated, vertically oriented eye stalks have a narrow acute zone for vertical resolving power along the horizon (Figs. 2, 4, 6), while ‘broad-fronted’ species (Grapsidae, Xanthidae, Portunidae) which have their eyes far apart on short eye stalks lack this specialisation (Figs. 3, 4, 6).

  3. 3.

    There is no pronounced acute zone for horizontal resolving power in either ‘type’ of crab (Fig. 5).

  4. 4.

    A quantitative comparison of different species shows that acute zones for vertical resolving power are closely associated with long eye stalks (Fig. 6).

  5. 5.

    In contrast to ‘broad-fronted’ species, ‘narrow-fronted’ species are known to inhabit relatively flat terrains. We show that elongated eye stalks and acute zones for vertical resolving power are specific adaptations to the problems of spatial vision in a flat environment and could enable animals to gain depth and size information monocularily from retinal position and retinal size alone (Figs. 8, 9).

  6. 6.

    We discuss the preconditions of spatial vision in differently structured environments and how they might have shaped the evolution of different designs of visual systems in semi-terrestrial crabs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander SJ, Ewer DW (1969) A comparative study of some aspects of the biology and ecology ofSesarma catenata Ort. andCyclograpsus punctatus M. Edw., with additional observations onSesarma meinerti DeMan. Zool Afr 4:1–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Bäuerlein R (1969) Morphophysiologische Untersuchungen zum Sehvermögen vonPotamon potamios rhodium Parisi (Decapoda, Potamonidae). Forma et Functio 1:285–331

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes RSK (1967) The Macrophthalminae of Australasia; with a review of the evolution and morphological diversity of the type genusMacrophthalmus (Crustacea: Brachyura). Trans Zool Soc Lond 31:195–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes RSK (1968) On the evolution of elongated ocular peduncles in the Brachyura. System Zool 17:182–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowman TE (1984) Stalking the wild crustacean: The significance of sessile and stalked eyes in phylogeny. J Crustacean Biol 4:7–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooke M de L (1981) Size as a factor influencing the ownership of copulation burrows by the ghost crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus). Z Tierpsychol 55:63–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown KT (1969) A linear area centralis extending across the turtle retina and stabilised to the horizon by non-visual cues. Vision Res 9:1053–1062

    Google Scholar 

  • Collett TS, Harkness LIK (1982) Depth vision in animals. In: Ingle DJ, Goodale MA, Mansfield RJW (eds) Analysis of visual behavior. MIT Press, Cambridge MA London, pp 111–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Crane (1975) Fiddler crabs of the world. Princeton Univ Press, Princeton, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronin TW (1986) Optical design and evolutionary adaptation in crustacean compound eyes. J Crustacean Biol 6:1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenspan BN (1980) Male size and reproductive success in the communal courtship system of the fiddler crabUca rapax. Anim Behav 28:387–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen HO von (1967) Nachweis einer kinästhetischen Orientierung beiUca rapax. Z Morphol Ökol Tiere 58:301–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen HO von (1970) Zur Deutung langstieliger und gehörnter Augen bei Ocypodiden (Decapoda, Brachyura). Forma et Functio 2:13–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen HO von (1977) The tree-climbing crabs of Trinidad. Studies on the fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean islands 54:25–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrnkind WF (1983) Movement patterns and orientation. In: Vernberg FJ, Vernberg WB (eds) The biology of Crustacea. Vol 7: Behaviour and ecology. Academic Press, New York London, pp 41–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiatt RW (1948) The biology of the lined shore crab,Pachygrapsus crassipes Randall. Pacific Sci 2:135–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Horridge GA (1978) The separation of visual axes in apposition compound eyes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B 285:1–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes A (1975) A comparison of retinal ganglion cell topography in the plains and tree kangaroo. J Physiol (Lond) 244:61–63P

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes A (1977) The topography of vision in mammals. In: Crescitelli F (ed) The visual system of vertebrates (Handbook of sensory physiology vol VII/5). Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 613–756

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer P (1967) Beobachtungen zur Biologie und zum Verhalten der KlippenkrabbeGrapsus grapsus L. (Brachyura: Grapsidae) auf Galapagos und am ecuadorianischen Festland. Z Tierpsychol 24:385–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunze P (1967) Histologische Untersuchungen zum Bau des Auges vonOcypode cursor (Brachyura). Z Zellforsch 82:466–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Land MF (1981) Optics and vision in invertebrates. In: Autrum H (ed) Comparative physiology and evolution of vision in invertebrates. (Handbook of sensory physiology, vol VII/ 6B) Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 471–592

    Google Scholar 

  • Land MF (1984) Crustacea. In: Ali MA (ed) Photoreception and vision in invertebrates. Plenum Press, New York, pp 401–438

    Google Scholar 

  • Land MF, Eckert H (1985) Maps of the acute zones of fly eyes. J Comp Physiol A 156:525–538

    Google Scholar 

  • Linsenmair KE (1967) Konstruktion und Signalfunktion der Sandpyramide der ReiterkrabbeOcypode saratan Forsk. (Decapoda Brachyura Ocypodidae). Z Tierpsychol 24:403–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Nalbach H-O (1986) Visuell ausgelöste Fluchtreaktionen bei Krabben. Verh Dtsch Zool Ges 79 (in press)

  • Nunnemacher RF (1966) The fine structure of optic tracts of Decapoda. In: Bernhard CG (ed) The functional organisation of the compound eye. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 363–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Poggio GF, Poggio T (1984) The analysis of stereopsis. Annu Rev Neurosci 7:379–412

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossel S (1986) Binocular spatial localization in the praying mantis. J Exp Biol 120:265–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandeman DC (1978) Regionalization in the eye of the crabLeptograpsus variegatus: Eye movements evoked by a target moving in different parts of the visual field. J Comp Physiol 123:299–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwind R (1978) Visual system ofNotonecta glauca: A neuron sensitive to movement in the binocular visual field. J Comp Physiol 123:315–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwind R (1980) Geometrical optics of theNotonecta eye: Adaptations to optical environment and way of life. J Comp Physiol 140:59–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwind R (1985) Sehen unter und über Wasser, Sehen von Wasser. Naturwissenschaften 72:343–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Snyder AW, Bossomaier TR, Hughes A (1986) Optical image quality and the cone mosaic. Science 231:499–501

    Google Scholar 

  • Stavenga DG (1979) Pseudopupils of compound eyes. In: Autrum H (ed) Vision in invertebrates (Handbook of sensory physiology vol VII/6A) Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 357–439

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiele H (1971) Über die Facettenaugen von land — und wasserbewohnenden Crustaceen. Z Morphol 69:9–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Wehner R (1981) Spatial vision in arthropods. In: Autrum (ed) Vision in invertebrates (Handbook of sensory physiology vol VII/6C) Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 287–616

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. G. Nalbach

    Present address: Max Planck Institut für biologische Kybernetik, Spemannstraße 38, D-7400, Tübingen 1, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Zoology, University of New South Wales, 2033, Kensington, NSW, Australia

    G. Nalbach

  2. Lehrstuhl für Biokybernetik, Institut für Biologie II, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D-7400, Tübingen 1, Germany

    J. Zeil & H. -O. Nalbach

Authors
  1. J. Zeil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Nalbach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. -O. Nalbach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zeil, J., Nalbach, G. & Nalbach, H.O. Eyes, eye stalks and the visual world of semi-terrestrial crabs. J. Comp. Physiol. 159, 801–811 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00603733

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00603733

Keywords

Search

Navigation