The genus Buccinanops: A Model for Eye Loss in Caenogastropods

The genus Buccinanops (d'Orbigny, 1841) (Caenogastropoda, Nassarriidae) is endemic to the SW Atlantic Ocean, and the name implies no eyes, due to the lack of visible eyes in adults. We recognize for the first time the occurrence of eyes during several developmental stages within Buccinanops. Ey...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Averbuj, Andres, Penchaszadeh, Pablo Enrique
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2008
Country:Argentina
Institution:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repository:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/102094
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/102094
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Nassariidae
Eye development
Embryology
Gastropod blindness
Ultrastructure
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
Description
Summary:The genus Buccinanops (d'Orbigny, 1841) (Caenogastropoda, Nassarriidae) is endemic to the SW Atlantic Ocean, and the name implies no eyes, due to the lack of visible eyes in adults. We recognize for the first time the occurrence of eyes during several developmental stages within Buccinanops. Eye spots in Buccinanops cochlidium (Dillwyn, 1817) were observed during intracapsular development and in hatchlings and juveniles. Eyes were histologically confirmed in embryonic cephalic tentacles; they were comprised of sensory cells, supportive cells, a lens, and an optic nerve cord. The ontogenetic history of the eyes of B. cochlidium is discussed.