A functional analysis of compound eye evolution.
Author
Summary, in English
New data on the phylogenetic relationships of various arthropod groups have spurred interesting attempts to reconstruct the evolution of arthropod
nervous and visual systems. Some of the relevant new data are cell identities and developmental processes in the nervous and sensory
systems, which is particularly useful for reconstructing the evolution of these systems. Here, we focus on the structure of compound eye ommatidia,
and make an evolutionary analysis with functional arguments. We investigate possible routes of evolution that can be understood in
terms of selection for improved visual function, and arrive at a number of conclusions that are discussed in the light of recent phylogenetic
hypotheses. On the basis of ommatidial focusing structures and the arrangement of receptor cells we show that the evolution of compound
eyes proceeded largely independently along at least two lineages from very primitive ancestors. A common ancestor of insects and crustaceans
is likely to have had ommatidia with focusing crystalline cones, and colour and/or polarization vision. In contrast, the compound eyes in myriapods
and chelicerates are likely to date back to ancestors with corneal lenses and probably without the ability to discriminate colour and
polarization.
nervous and visual systems. Some of the relevant new data are cell identities and developmental processes in the nervous and sensory
systems, which is particularly useful for reconstructing the evolution of these systems. Here, we focus on the structure of compound eye ommatidia,
and make an evolutionary analysis with functional arguments. We investigate possible routes of evolution that can be understood in
terms of selection for improved visual function, and arrive at a number of conclusions that are discussed in the light of recent phylogenetic
hypotheses. On the basis of ommatidial focusing structures and the arrangement of receptor cells we show that the evolution of compound
eyes proceeded largely independently along at least two lineages from very primitive ancestors. A common ancestor of insects and crustaceans
is likely to have had ommatidia with focusing crystalline cones, and colour and/or polarization vision. In contrast, the compound eyes in myriapods
and chelicerates are likely to date back to ancestors with corneal lenses and probably without the ability to discriminate colour and
polarization.
Department/s
Publishing year
2007
Language
English
Pages
373-385
Publication/Series
Arthropod Structure & Development
Volume
36
Issue
4
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Elsevier
Topic
- Zoology
Keywords
- Compound eye
- Evolution
- Ommatidia
Status
Published
Research group
- Lund Vision Group
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1467-8039