Summary
The dioptric apparatus of the lateral eyes of the scorpion, Androctonus austrails, consists of a cuticular lens, but lacks a vitreous body. The retina is formed by (1) retinula cells displaying a contiguous network of rhabdoms; (2) arhabdomeric cells bearing a distal dendrite that contacts retinula cells via numerous projections and ends before the rhabdomere of the retinula cells; (3) pigment cells that ensheath retinula and arhabdomeric cells with the exception of the contact regions; and (4) neurosecretory fibres possibly originating in the supraesophageal ganglion. The ratio of the number of retinula to arhabdomeric cells is determined to be close to 2 ∶ 1 in the three larger anterolateral eyes, in contrast to the median eyes where the ratio is 5 ∶ 1.
The construction of the dioptric apparatus as well as the anatomy of the retina imply that in the lateral eyes of Androctonus australis visual acuity is reduced. A certain degree of spatial discrimination, however, may be retained by the presence of a relatively high number of arhabdomeric cells. It is suggested that the lateral eyes of A. australis mainly function as light detectors, e.g., for Zeitgeber stimuli.
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Schliwa, M., Fleissner, G. The lateral eyes of the scorpion, Androctonus australis . Cell Tissue Res. 206, 95–114 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00233611
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00233611