Electrophysiological Evidence for Different Colour Receptors in One Ommatidium of the Bee Eye

Abstract

Spectral and spatial sensitivity were determined in several retinula cells of the worker bee eye during one penetration with a microelectrode. Pairs of retinula cells were found, which differed in their spectral sensitivity, but had nearly identical fields of view. From this result it is concluded that ommatidia in the worker bee eye are not colour specific, but consist of different colour receptor typs. The consequences for the functional organisation of the fused rhabdom are shortly discussed. © 1975, Verlag der Zeitschrift. All rights reserved.