Photoreceptor projection from a four-tiered retina to four distinct regions of the first optic ganglion in a jumping spider.

Jumping spiders have four pairs of eyes (ocelli) of which only the principal eyes (PEs) are used to detect features of objects. Photoreceptors in the retina of the PEs form four layers (PL1-4) and terminate in the first optic ganglion (FOG). Here we focus on Hasarius adansoni because it has unique depth vision besides color vision and its FOG appears to contribute to the initial processing of these visual modalities. We first investigated the neuroanatomical organization of the FOG. The three-dimensional structure of the FOG revealed by synapsin immunostaining is horseshoe-shaped and consists of four terminal zones (TZ1-4). Then we traced single photoreceptors through serial sections and found that green-sensitive receptors of PL1 and 2 terminate in TZ1 and 2, respectively, by keeping retinotopic organization. In contrast to TZ1 and 2, TZ3 receives terminals of ultraviolet-sensitive receptors from lateral regions of both PL3 and 4, while photoreceptors of the medial region of PL3 and 4 terminate in TZ4. We further studied details of photoreceptor terminals and the branching pattern of interneurons in the FOG in Golgi stained preparations. Photoreceptors have long lateral processes in each terminal zone. Some photoreceptors terminating in TZ3 have branches innervating TZ1, indicating that TZ1 receives different spectral information. A type of interneuron connects TZ1 and 2, while others have branches within a single terminal zone or in the entire FOG. These results suggest that TZ1 and 2 contribute to color, shape, and depth vision, while TZ3 and 4 have specific roles for UV vision. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.