Compound Eyes of a Dragonfly


Compound eyes are a remarkable feature found in many arthropods, including insects, crustaceans, and some arachnids. Unlike the single-lens eyes of mammals, compound eyes are made up of numerous small units called ommatidia, each with its own lens and photoreceptor cells. This complex structure allows compound eyes to capture a wide field of view and detect rapid movements with remarkable precision. The array of ommatidia works together to form a mosaic image, giving the organism excellent motion detection and the ability to see in low light conditions. Compound eyes are especially effective in environments where detecting fast movement is crucial for survival, such as in hunting or avoiding predators. This sophisticated visual system highlights the diverse evolutionary adaptations of vision across different species.


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Photo credit: © Phil Degginger / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: acuity, anatomy, arthropod, biological, compound, detection, dragonfly, entomology, eye, eyes, field, hexagonal, high-resolution, insect, insects, lenses, light, morphology, multifaceted, ommatidia, optics, organs, panoramic, perception, photoreceptors, predatory, sensory, structure, ultraviolet, view, vision, visual