Christian Wirkner

PD Dr. Christian Wirkner is a faculty member at the University of Rostock, affiliated with the Institute of Biosciences under the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. His research focuses on evolutionary morphology, comparative anatomy, and functional physiology of arthropods, particularly crustaceans and arachnids.

Recent publications highlight his work on:

• 3D morphological analysis of arthropod organ systems
• Phenotypic variation in vascular structures
• Phylogenetic reconstruction of Malacostraca and Arachnida
• Biomechanical adaptations in scorpion tails and crustacean claws
• Evolutionary transitions during arachnid terrestrialisation
• Geometric morphometrics and computational modeling in zoology

His methodological approach combines micro-CT, corrosion casting, and advanced morphometric techniques to study evolutionary patterns across diverse arthropod lineages.