The ultrastructure of the compound eye of a mosquito Aedes aegypti L

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Abstract
Each ommatidium in the mosquito compound eye consists of a dioptric apparatus and layer of retinula cells. The dioptric apparatus includes a cuticular cornea, a biconvex lens, and four cone cells. The cone cells have processes which extend into the receptor layer and terminate below the rhabdom as pigment‐filled sacs. Two primary pigment cells and an undetermined number of secondary pigment cells surround the dioptric apparatus. In the receptor layer eight retinula cells are found in each ommatidium. Six are peripherally arranged around a central one, whereas the remaining retinula cell is sandwiched between and somewhat external to two of the peripheral retinula cells. Each of the eight retinula cells possesses a well developed rhabdomere, along with the usual array of other intracellular organelles characteristic of arthropod photoreceptor cells.