Eyes
The Eyes
Mantis Shrimp are thought to have the world's most sophisticated eyes... why is this?
One reason is because of the large amount of photoreceptors they have. For comparison, humans have 3 photo receptors. These photorecptors are red, blue and green. Birds have four photoreceptors: red, blue, green and ultraviolet. Mantis shrimp have an astonishing 16 different photoreceptors. They can see UV, visible ligt and polarised light.(2)
Another reason why Mantis Shrimp have spectacular eye sight is their ability to percieve depth with only one eye. They can also move each eye idependently. (2)
Mantis Shrimp have eyes made up of thousands of ommatidia. This ommatidida contains small clusters of photoreceptor cells, support cells and pigment cells. They have 6 rows of these ommatidias which make up the mid-band. Each of these 6 rows are specialized. They detect light wavelengths or polarized light wavelengts. (2)
In detail:
Mating:
Mantis Shrimp eyes also play a key role in mating. Male mantis shrip are known to perform coutship dances to females. These dances show off brightly colored patches on the males eyes. These patches vary in size, brightness and color. (2)
