The sensory structure of trilobite eyes commonly is that of apposition compound eyes.
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We find in fossil trilobite eyes relics of sensory cells, rhabdoms, and pigment.
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We find relics of palisades around the rhabdom, enhancing sensitivity.
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The diversity of the morphology of trilobite eyes 'explodes' with the Ordovician.
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We give arguments that the composition of trilobite lenses was highly calcitic.
Abstract
Great progress has been made during the last decades in understanding visual systems of arthropods living today. Thus it seems worthwhile to review what is known about structure and function of the eyes of trilobites, the most important group of marine arthropods during the Paleozoic. There are three types of compound eyes in trilobites. The oldest and most abundant is the so-called holochroal eye. The sensory system represents a typical apposition eye, and all units are covered by one cornea in common. The so-called abathochroal eye (only in eodiscid trilobites) consists of small lenses, each individually covered by a thin cuticular cornea. The schizochroal eye is represented just in the suborder Phacopina, and probably is a highly specialized visual system. We discuss the calcitic character of trilobite lenses, the phylogenetic relevance of the existence of crystalline cones in trilobites, and consider adaptations of trilobite's compound eyes to different ecological constraints. The aim of this article is to give a resumé of what is known so far about trilobite vision, and to open perspectives to what still might be done.
