The eyes of the adult Phronima are a further feature of wonder in an animal already beset with extraordinary habits and adaptations. It has compound eyes, like most crustacea and insects, but unlike most it has four, not two. Each pair of eyes is situated on the side of the head. The outer and inner eye of each pair are actually in contact with each other. The outer eye is surrounded by a lozenge-shaped ball of eye-facet lenses commanding an enormous field of view - perhaps 270 degrees. One...
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The eyes of the adult Phronima are a further feature of wonder in an animal already beset with extraordinary habits and adaptations. It has compound eyes, like most crustacea and insects, but unlike most it has four, not two. Each pair of eyes is situated on the side of the head. The outer and inner eye of each pair are actually in contact with each other. The outer eye is surrounded by a lozenge-shaped ball of eye-facet lenses commanding an enormous field of view - perhaps 270 degrees. One pair of eyes keeps a constant watch on the world ahead, whereas the other pair views the surroundings through the transparent walls of its temporary home.
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