What is it? - the solution for January

You probably guessed - once again it is an electron micrograph of part of the eye of Mitopus morio!

The puzzle pictures this time show the structure of the lens of the eye. This is a specialised part of the cuticle of the animal - transparent so that light can pass through and thickened into a convex structure with refractive properties to focus light on to the retina of the eye.
Within the structure of this cuticular lens you can see the microfibrils which give it its special properties. At the outer edge is a homogeneous layer, the epicuticle.
The inner edge lies on the lentigen cells which are responsible for the production of the lens. The masses of granular material in these cells are involved in the secretory process which produces the cuticle.

You can see more details of the microfibrils and of the lentigen cells in the Opiliones Notes.
 
 
 

Back to the mystery picture

 

 
 

Back to Ariadne