The eyes of the indigenous Scottish Crayfish is inspiring the next generation of computer graphic games, DVD and CD players according to a new study been researched at the University of The Highlands and Islands, based in Fort William.
The rare Scotstropotamobius pallipes in the study are found in small Scottish Burns and Lochans and have the most complex vision systems known to Man.
The "fish" can see in 256 colours - humans only see in three - and can tell the difference between different types of polarised light.
Scientists at the university have identified light sensitive cells in the "fishes" eyes that perform similar functions to the way computer graphics are constructed and those found in current DVD and CD production.
Researchers have also taken their studies one step further by transplanting a scaled model artificial "fish" eye into "Blind Jock", Fort William's most notorious drunken street beggar.
When asked to comment on his new eye "Jock" said "what with one good eye and my new fish eye it's like been permanently and pure bawsed 24/7 - I'm' savin' a fortune of ma takin's that's not goin' on ma Scotch anymore!"
