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Published on: November 4, 2013
The eye margin and compound-eye development in the cockroach: evidence against recruitment
Journal of Embryology and Experimental Morphology
|December 1, 1980
Abstract:
The compound eye of the cockroach nymph grows from stadium to stadium by the addition of new ommatidia to the growing edge of the eye. By a series of transplant operations on Periplaneta americana and from SEM studies on Gromphadorhina portentosa it is shown that the proliferating region of the eye margin is a budding zone. There is no recruitment of larval head-capsule epidermis into the eye.
Insights
The cockroach compound eye grows by adding new ommatidia at the eye
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Insect morphology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- The compound eye of insects, like the cockroach, develops through distinct growth stages.
- Understanding eye development is crucial for insect biology and evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the growth mechanism of the cockroach compound eye during nymphal development.
- To determine if new ommatidia are added from the eye margin or other head structures.
Main Methods:
- Transplantation experiments on the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana).
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies on the Madagascan hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa).
Main Results:
- The growing edge of the cockroach eye margin functions as a budding zone for new ommatidia.
- Evidence indicates that larval head-capsule epidermis is not incorporated into the developing eye.
Conclusions:
- Cockroach compound eye growth is an intrinsic process at the eye's margin.
- The eye develops through the addition of new units (ommatidia) at its periphery, not by incorporating surrounding tissues.
