Zoological Science
Published by: Zoological Society of Japan
Zoological Science 21(7):719-722. 2004
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2108/zsj.21.719
Not Just an Empty Cavity: the Inter-Rhabdomeral Space in the Jamaican Cavefly Neoditomyia farri (Diptera, Mycetophilidae)
V. Benno Meyer-Rochow1,2,* and Mouyu (Helen) Yang1
1Faculty of Engineering and Science, International University Bremen (IUB), Bremen, P.O. Box 750561, D-28759 Bremen, Germany
2Department of Biology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, SF-90014 Oulu, Finland
* Corresponding author: Tel. +49-421-200-3242; FAX. +49-421-200-3249. E-mail: b.meyer-rochow@iu-bremen.de
Abstract
Contrary to most other Diptera, the inter-rhabdomeral spaces of the retina of the Jamaican cavefly Neoditomya farri are filled neither by extracellular matrix nor dense cytoplasmic material. Instead, a foamy organization of loose vacuoles, measuring approximately 0.7 μm in diameter, appears to keep the rhabdomeres of retinula cells 7 and 8 in place. The vacuoles are bounded by membranes and traces of actin, determined immunocytochemically, are present. The origin of the vacuoles is unclear, but evidence in support of a retinula cell rather than cone cell origin is advanced.
Received: March 15, 2004; Accepted: April 16, 2004
Keywords: compound eye, retina, vision, development, insect


