Mollusc eye
The
simple eyes.[2]
Diversity
There are between seven and eleven distinct eye types in molluscs.gastropods, to the pinhole eyes of the Nautilus, to the lensed eyes of the other cephalopods. Compound eyes are present in some bivalves, and reflective 'mirrors' have been innovated by other lineages such as scallops.[1] As well as varying in complexity, the eyes of molluscs span a huge range in size; they may be from 20 μm (0.0008 in) to 27 cm (11 in) across.[1]
Anatomy
Gastropods and cephalopods have paired eyes on their heads (and sometimes tails),[1] but many molluscs do not have clear head regions in which to locate the eyes. Consequently, many molluscs may have a multitude of eyes in more unlikely places, such as along the edge of their shell.[1] Chitons have a dispersed network of tiny eyes over the surface of their shells which may act together as a compound eye.[1]
Many gastropods have stalked eyes; the eye can be retracted into the stalk itself in the presence of danger.[1]
See also
- Arthropod eye
- Parietal eye
- Sensory organs of gastropods
- Simple eye in invertebrates
- Vision in fish
- Visual system
References
- ^ .
- .
- ^ 'Camera eyes in gastropod molluscs", mapoflife.org
External links
Media related to Mollusca eyes at Wikimedia Commons
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