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Zoological Science

Published by: Zoological Society of Japan

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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-Rochow^1,^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

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