The establishment and early development of the ommatidial bundles in the presumptive eye of Drosophila have been investigated using electron microscopic serial sectioning. A progression of developmental stages has been characterized. Initially simple, symmetrically constructed bundles develop into asymmetrical, more complex constructions. Computer graphic reconstruction has been used to show the three-dimensional structure of the various ommatidial bundles. Autoradiography has been used to locate the position of a region of cell division which is intimately associated with the formation of the ommatidial bundles.

Keywords:
Drosophila, pattern formation, symmetry, electron microscope, compound eyes
Copyright © 1985 by Company of Biologists
1985
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