Schliwa M, Fleissner G
Cell Tissue Res. 1980;206(1):95-104. doi: 10.1007/BF00233611.
The dioptric apparatus of the lateral eyes of the scorpion, Androctonus australis, consists of a cuticular lens, but lacks a vitreous body. The retina is formed by (1) retinula cells displaying a contiguous network of rhabdoms; (2) arhabdomeric cells bearing a distal dendrite that contacts retinula cells via numerous projections and ends before the rhabdomere of the retinula cells; (3) pigment cells that ensheath retinula and arhabdomeric cells with the exception of the contact regions; and (4) neurosecretory fibres possibly originating in the supraesophageal ganglion. The ratio of the number of retinula to arhabdomeric cells is determined to be close to 2:1 in the three larger anterolateral eyes, in contrast to the median eyes where the ratio is 5:1. The construction of the dioptric apparatus as well as the anatomy of the retina imply that in the lateral eyes of Androctonus australis visual acuity is reduced. A certain degree of spatial discrimination, however, may be retained by the presence of a relatively high number of arhabdomeric cells. It is suggested that the lateral eyes of A. australis mainly function as light detectors, e.g., for Zeitgeber stimuli.
澳氏杀人蝎侧眼的屈光装置由一个角质透镜组成，但没有玻璃体。视网膜由以下部分组成：（1）视小杆细胞，其显示出紧密相连的视小杆网络；（2）无小杆细胞，带有一个远端树突，该树突通过众多突起与视小杆细胞接触，并在视小杆细胞的视小杆之前终止；（3）色素细胞，除接触区域外，包裹着视小杆细胞和无小杆细胞；（4）可能起源于食管上神经节的神经分泌纤维。在三个较大的前侧眼中，视小杆细胞与无小杆细胞的数量比被确定为接近2:1，而在中眼，该比例为5:1。屈光装置的结构以及视网膜的解剖结构表明，澳氏杀人蝎侧眼的视力有所降低。然而，由于存在相对较多的无小杆细胞，可能保留了一定程度的空间辨别能力。有人认为，澳氏杀人蝎的侧眼主要起光探测器的作用，例如用于接收授时因子刺激。
