ON EYE OF THE GASTROPOD STROMBUS GIBBERULUS (GASTROPODA: STROMBIDAE) FROM THE RED SEA

Document Type : Research article

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Abstract

Strombus gibberulus which is a large, heavy and handsome shelled gastropod possesses a pair of eyes born on eye stalks which protrudes through the stromboid notch outside of the shell. The eye is of the closed type which is common in prosobranchs, opisthobranchs and pulmonates. It consists of a retina, lens cornea and conjunctiva. Retina consists of a pigmented layer and photoreceptor cells. The photoreceptor cells are differentiated into cones and rods. Lens is mosty spherical and large in size. The species uses its eyes to protect itself from predators and for feeding purposes. When it sights the predators, it quickly catches and cut them with its powerful corneous operculum.

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