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Toward unraveling the mystery of how the unusual principal eyes of Thermonectus marmoratus larvae work – constructing a first functional model.

Stowasser, Annette

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2013, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
One might ask what one could possibly gain from exploring the function of tiny larval eyes? And one might answer that an exploration of the structure of such eyes and of the mechanical properties that evolved under their taxing size constraints has already served to inspire engineers in devising novel methods of navigation and visual task performance in robots. Moreover, an exploration of their specializations has also served to facilitate the study of very particular aspects of vision that can be found across many other species, including vertebrate animals and humans. Thus far, attention has been largely focused on adult compound eyes, but invertebrates also have chambered eyes, which should probably merit no less attention. Contrary to what is generally thought about these eyes, some of these visual systems are highly developed and complex. They too may result in the discovery of novel visual mechanisms, which may also serve to inspire engineers or to provide us with a more complete understanding of vision as well as of the evolution and development of eyes in general. One might ask what one could possibly gain from exploring the function of tiny larval eyes? And one might answer that an exploration of the structure of such eyes and of the mechanical properties that evolved under their taxing size constraints has already served to inspire engineers in devising novel methods of navigation and visual task performance in robots. Moreover, an exploration of their specializations has also served to facilitate the study of very particular aspects of vision that can be found across many other species, including vertebrate animals and humans. Thus far, attention has been largely focused on adult compound eyes, but invertebrates also have chambered eyes, which should probably merit no less attention. Contrary to what is generally thought about these eyes, some of these visual systems are highly developed and complex. They too may result in the discovery of novel visual mechanisms, which may also serve to inspire engineers or to provide us with a more complete understanding of vision as well as of the evolution and development of eyes in general.
Elke Buschbeck, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Tiffany Cook, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Edwin Griff, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
John Layne, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
George Uetz, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
158 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Stowasser, A. (2013). Toward unraveling the mystery of how the unusual principal eyes of Thermonectus marmoratus larvae work – constructing a first functional model. [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1382372418

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Stowasser, Annette. Toward unraveling the mystery of how the unusual principal eyes of Thermonectus marmoratus larvae work – constructing a first functional model. 2013. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1382372418.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Stowasser, Annette. "Toward unraveling the mystery of how the unusual principal eyes of Thermonectus marmoratus larvae work – constructing a first functional model." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1382372418

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)