Morphology of the reflecting superposition eyes of larval oplophorid shrimps.

The eyes of larval and juvenile oplophorid shrimps are described for the first time. Variations in eye development occur depending on whether the zoeal stages are lecithotrophic or planktotrophic. In those genera where the first free-living stage is planktonic, the eyes are of the transparent apposition type seen in other decapod zoeas. However, where the eggs hatch after completion of the lecithotrophic zoeal stages, the eyes are laready developing the superposition optics found in the adult. In Oplophorus spinosus the changeover from hexagonal to square facets, indicative of superposition optics, proceeds from anterior to posterior. In Systellaspis debilis the square facets appear first on the lateral face of the eye. Eventually, in both species, only the most dorsal ommatidia retain apposition optics. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.