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.
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1 July 2004
Not Just an Empty Cavity: the Inter-Rhabdomeral Space in the Jamaican Cavefly Neoditomyia farri (Diptera, Mycetophilidae)
V. Benno Meyer-Rochow,
Mouyu (Helen) Yang
compound eye
development
insect
retina
vision