Seems to be easier focusing with the calcite as well as durability in the scratchy sand environment.
Additionally, more derived/later species had aspherical lenses to compensate for the spherical aberration and dual layer organic→calcite lenses to allow for more of a refractive gradient to counteract the double imaging of calcite alone.
Modern arthropods probably done use it on land because of an inability to accumulate it in an efficient manner. Water arthropods like crustaceans probably done because it’s metabolically expensive to do these things when chitin alone can make for useful eyes.
Evolution is more of a “good enough” kinda situation.
NegativeInf@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Seems to be easier focusing with the calcite as well as durability in the scratchy sand environment.
Additionally, more derived/later species had aspherical lenses to compensate for the spherical aberration and dual layer organic→calcite lenses to allow for more of a refractive gradient to counteract the double imaging of calcite alone.
Modern arthropods probably done use it on land because of an inability to accumulate it in an efficient manner. Water arthropods like crustaceans probably done because it’s metabolically expensive to do these things when chitin alone can make for useful eyes.
Evolution is more of a “good enough” kinda situation.