360-Degree Eyesight

Rhabdosoma’s uncommon eye arrangement allows the animal to see 360 degrees.
(© 2014 KJ Osborn, Smithsonian )

Arguably Rhabdosoma’s most striking feature is its long spear-like head. The spherical segment in the middle of its head is a pair of compound eyes that support multiple lenses and a pair of retina. This uncommon eye arrangement allows the animal to see 360 degrees (think of a fly eye, except cylinder-shaped). See more images of mid-water creatures in our slideshow.