{"id":36733,"date":"2024-03-14T12:29:44","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T11:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f489ee2d-f564-4b3c-bbea-0b8d29f33841"},"modified":"2024-03-14T13:35:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T12:35:39","slug":"mantis-shrimp-have-the-most-complex-eyes-in-the-animal-kingdom-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/mantis-shrimp-have-the-most-complex-eyes-in-the-animal-kingdom-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Mantis shrimp have the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. Here\u2019s why"},"content":{"rendered":"

We reveal a fascinating insight into evolution’s optical wonders <\/p>

By Stuart Blackman\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 14 March 2024 at 11:29 AM<\/p>

\n\n

We explore how mantis shrimp’s eyes redefine our understanding of visual perception <\/strong><\/p>

Mantis shrimp have remarkable eyes. Credit: Getty<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Why are mantis shrimp eyes so special?<\/h2>

Mantis shrimp are famous for two things. First, they pack a tremendous punch, wielding clubs on the end of their front limbs that can accelerate as fast as a bullet in a gun barrel. Second, they possess what are widely regarded as the most complex eyes of any animal.<\/p>

As with many st, mantis shrimp sport a pair of compound eyes on stalks. And, like those of flies, they are composed of thousands of ommatidia – individual lenses and retinas that each sample a tiny area of the field of view. <\/p>

But mantis shrimp eyes are capable of rotating independently and in three dimensions like angle-poise lamps. They can also perceive distance using a single eye, because multiple ommatidia focus on the same point.<\/p>