The structure and function of fish and crustacean photoreceptors

Electroretinograms and intracellular recordings were conducted on the giant Antarctic isopod Glyptonotus as well as the common amphipod Orchomene plebs. Eye material from starfish, marine mites, isopods and amphipods, and dragonfish were analysed by gas chromatography to confirm the distribution of fatty acids in the eyes of surface and bottom creatures. Observations were made on peculiar minute hairs which cover the entire body of Glyptonotus and are only visible under high magnification. Ectoparasitic copepods and a blind and possibly primitive crustacean were collected from the underside of Antarctic starfish.