The microanatomy of the optic ganglia of Munida irrasa (Decapoda: Galatheidae)
The microanatomy of the optic ganglia of Munida irrasa was examined by reconstruction from stained serial sections. There are four optic ganglia arranged in a consecutive manner: a distal lamina ganglionaris followed by a medulla externis, medulla internis, and medulla terminalis. Two optic chiasmata are present. Typically, the major constituents of invertebrate ganglia are present: rind, neuropil, blood sinuses, hemocytes, and glia.Neurosecretory cells are found within each of the four ganglia. They are arranged at regular intervals throughout the proximal zone of the lamina ganglionaris. They are collected into ganglionic X organs in the other three ganglia. The medulla externis X organ sends its fiber tract into the lamina ganglionaris. The medulla internis X organ and the medulla terminalis X organ send their combined fiber tract into the sinus gland.The sinus gland is the only peripheral structure to receive axons from cells of the optic ganglia. The organ of Bellonci is wholly contained within the medulla terminalis. A cavity receptor organ is present in the periphery of the eyestalk; however, its nerve parallels the optic ganglia and enters the brain directly.