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Alterations of the eyes during ontogenesis inAporrhais pespelecani (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda)

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Abstract

The cerebrally innervated eyes of metamorphically competent larvae, newly metamorphosed larvae, and adults ofAporrhais pespelecani are ultrastructurally investigated and compared. The eyes are composed of a lens, a cornea, and an everse retina. In adults, a humour is located behind the lens. The retina consists of two different types of cells: sensory cells and supportive cells. The present study confirms earlier results and demonstrates that the distal part of the sensory cells is altered during ontogenesis. In metamorphically competent larvae, the sensory cells are exclusively ciliary. In newly metamorphosed larvae and in adults, however, the sensory cells are of the mixed type, bearing both cilia and microvilli. Furthermore, the findings confirm that both the supportive and corneal cells, as well as the distal supportive cell processes which are restricted to the eyes of adults are involved in lens formation.

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Abbreviations

bb :

basal body

c :

cilium

cc :

corneal cell

cm :

ciliary membranes

ep :

epidermis

gr :

electron-dense granules

h :

humour

l :

lens

mt :

microtubules

mv :

microvilli

pg :

pigment granules

pr :

supportive cell process

re :

retina

rm :

round membranes

ro :

ciliary rootlet

sc :

sensory cell

spc :

supportive cell

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  1. Institut für Zoologie, Universität Wien, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090, Wien, Austria

    Michael J. F. Blumer

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Blumer, M.J.F. Alterations of the eyes during ontogenesis inAporrhais pespelecani (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda). Zoomorphology 116, 123–131 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02526944

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02526944

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