Apposition eye
- Pronunciation
- /ap-po-ZIH-shun eye/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Apposition eye
- Plural
- Apposition eyes
Definition
A type of compound eye found in some insects where adjacent ommatidia are physically separated by pigmented walls, preventing light from one ommatidium from reaching the next. This ensures that each ommatidium receives a separate image.
Etymology
From Latin 'appositio', meaning 'placing close together'.
Example
Many diurnal insects, such as dragonflies, have apposition eyes which allow for high visual acuity.
Related Terms
- Compound eye
- Ommatidium
- Pigmented walls
Usage Notes
Apposition eyes are found in diurnal insects and provide excellent color vision.