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Electron microscopic studies of the compound eye of the toadbug, Gelastocoris oculatus
Author(s) -
Burton Paul R.,
Stockhammer Karl A.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051270208
Subject(s) - ommatidium , microvillus , biology , cytoplasm , anatomy , microtubule , lumen (anatomy) , compound eye , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , optics , physics , biochemistry , membrane
There are eight retinula cells in the ommatidium of the compound eye of the toadbug ( Gelastocoris oculatus ), two of which are central in position. Along the axial sides of the six peripheral retinula cells expand six cytoplasmic processes from the apical crystalline cone cells. These processes, which contain longitudinally‐oriented microtubules, are associated with all eight retinula cells by means of desmosomal junctions. In addition to providing structural support, the possibility is set forth that the interconnecting cone processes might also serve to functionally integrate the retinula cells of an ommatidium. The eight retinula cells possess microvillus surfaces, which are especially prominent in the six peripheral cells, where they extend into the lumen of the ommatidium. There is evidence of pinocytotic activity at the bases of microvilli. Multivesicular bodies are present in the cytoplasm of retinula cells, and the means by which these bodies might be elaborated are discussed.