Unique structure and optics of the lesser eyes of the box jellyfish Tripedalia cystophora

TY - JOUR

T1 - Unique structure and optics of the lesser eyes of the box jellyfish Tripedalia cystophora

AU - Garm, A

AU - Andersson, F

AU - Nilsson, Dan-E

N1 - Keywords: Animals; Cubozoa; Eye; Female; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Models, Biological; Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate; Refractometry; Visual Fields; Vitreous Body

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - The visual system of box jellyfish comprises a total of 24 eyes. These are of four types and each probably has a special function. To investigate this hypothesis the morphology and optics of the lesser eyes, the pit and slit eyes, were examined. The pit eyes hold one cell type only and are probably mere light meters. The slit eyes, comprising four cell types, are complex and highly asymmetric. They also hold a lens-like structure, but its optical power is minute. Optical modeling suggests spatial resolution, but only in one plane. These unique and intriguing traits support strong peripheral filtering.

AB - The visual system of box jellyfish comprises a total of 24 eyes. These are of four types and each probably has a special function. To investigate this hypothesis the morphology and optics of the lesser eyes, the pit and slit eyes, were examined. The pit eyes hold one cell type only and are probably mere light meters. The slit eyes, comprising four cell types, are complex and highly asymmetric. They also hold a lens-like structure, but its optical power is minute. Optical modeling suggests spatial resolution, but only in one plane. These unique and intriguing traits support strong peripheral filtering.

U2 - 10.1016/j.visres.2008.01.019

DO - 10.1016/j.visres.2008.01.019

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 18308364

SN - 0042-6989

VL - 48

SP - 1061

EP - 1073

JO - Vision Research

JF - Vision Research

IS - 8

ER -