Contributions to Zoology, 67 (4) 223-235 (1998) SPB Academic Publishing bv, Amsterdam Optics and phylogeny: is there an insight? The evolution of superposition eyes in the Decapoda (Crustacea) Edward Gaten Department of Biology, University’ ofLeicester, Leicester LEI 7RH, U.K. E-mail:
[email protected] Keywords: Compound eyes, superposition optics, adaptation, evolution, decapod crustaceans, phylogeny Abstract cannot normally be predicted by external exami- nation alone, and usually microscopic investiga- This addresses the of structure and in paper use eye optics the tion of properly fixed optical elements is required construction of and crustacean phylogenies presents an hypoth- for a complete diagnosis. This largely rules out esis for the evolution of in the superposition eyes Decapoda, the use of fossil material in the based the of in comparatively on distribution eye types extant decapod fami- few lies. It that arthropodan specimens where the are is suggested reflecting superposition optics are eyes symplesiomorphic for the Decapoda, having evolved only preserved (Glaessner, 1969), although the optics once, probably in the Devonian. loss of Subsequent reflecting of some species of trilobite have been described has superposition optics occurred following the adoption of a (Clarkson & Levi-Setti, 1975). Also the require- new habitat (e.g. Aristeidae,Aeglidae) or by progenetic paedo- ment for good fixation and the fact that complete morphosis (Paguroidea, Eubrachyura). examination invariably involves the destruction of the specimen means that museum collections Introduction rarely reveal enough information to define the optics unequivocally. Where the optics of the The is one of the compound eye most complex component parts of the eye are under investiga- and remarkable not on of its fixation organs, only account tion, specialised to preserve the refrac- but also for the optical precision, diversity of tive properties must be used (Oaten, 1994).