PD Dr. Christian Wirkner

Contact

Universität Rostock
Institut für Biowissenschaften
Allgemeine und Spezielle Zoologie
Universitätsplatz 2, 18055 Rostock
Tel.: +49 381 / 498-6273
Email: christian.wirkner (at) uni-rostock.de

 

Consultation hours

on appointment

Research interests

Evolutionary morphology of various organ systems (circulatory system, musculature, etc.) of Arthropoda using histology (semi-thin section series), corrosion casting, confocal laser scanning microscopy, microcomputed tomography and 3D reconstruction. Functional morphology based on 3D analysis of selected structures (e.g. scorpion tail joints, pistol crab claws). Theory of evolutionary morphology.

Professional activities
Apr.2007 – Research assistant at the Chair of General and Special Zoology, University of Rostock
Jan.2005 – Mar.2007 Research assistant at the Institute of Special Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Jun.1999 – Jul.2001 Technical Assistant at the Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna. Fields of activity: Histology, electron microscopy, graphics
1999 – 2001 Working in the myriapod collection of the Natural History Museum Vienna; compiling a type catalog of the Chordeumatida
1993 Assistant scientist at the Institute of Zoology II, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg; research tasks
Studies and academic training
Jan. 2018 Habilitation at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Rostock
Jul.2001 – Oct.2005 Doctorate at the Humboldt University of Berlin; awarded “Summa cum laude”
May 2000 Magister of Natural Sciences at the University of Vienna
1994 – 2000 Studies at the University of Vienna (major: Zoology; minor: Ecology)
1992 – 1994 Studies in Biology at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Publications

Jahn, H.; Göpel, T.; Hammel, J.U.; Wirkner, C.S.; Mayer, G. (2023) A multiscale approach reveals elaborate circulatory system and intermittent heartbeat in velvet worms (Onychophora). Communications Biology 6:468. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04797-z

Michalski, H.; Harms, D.; Runge, J.; Wirkner, C.S. (2022) Evolutionary morphology of coxal musculature in Pseudoscorpiones (Arachnida). Arthropod Structure & Development 69: 101165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2022.101165

Scholz, S.; Göpel, T.; Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2021) High degree of non-genetic phenotypic variation in the vascular system of crayfish – a discussion of possible causes and implications. Zoomorphology 140: 317-329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-021-00536-2

Günther, A.; Drack, M.; Monod, L.; Wirkner, C.S. (2021): A unique yet technically simple type of joint allows for the high mobility of scorpion tails. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 18: 20210388. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2021.0388

Günther, A.; Monod, L.; Wirkner, C.S. (2021): Comparative morphology of scorpion metasomata (Arachnida, Chelicerata): muscles and cuticle. Arthropod Structure & Development 60: 101003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2020.101003

Runge, J.; Wirkner, C.S. (2020): Evolutionary and functional substitution of extrinsic musculature in Solifugae (Arachnida). Journal of Morphology 281: 1524-1533. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21260

Ege, Y.; Foth, C.; Baum, D.; Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S. (2020): Adapting spherical-harmonics-based geometric morphometrics (SPHARM) for 3D images containing large cavity openings using ambient occlusion: a study with hermit crab claw shape variability. Zoomorphology  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-020-00488-z

Richter, S.; Göpel, T.; Wirkner, C.S. (2020): Das Morphem: Beschreibungseinheit der Evolutionären Morphologie. Naturwissenschaftliche Rundschau 73: 500-508.

Wendruff, A.J.; Babcock, L.E.; Wirkner, C.S.; Kluessendorf, J.; Mikulic, D.J. (2020): A Silurian ancestral scorpion with fossilised internal anatomy illustrating a pathway to arachnid terrestrialisation. Scientific Reports 10:14 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56010-z

Göpel, T.; Wirkner, C.S. (2020): The circulatory system of Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 – lacunar function and a reconsideration of the “open vs. closed system” debate. Journal of Morphology 281: 500-512. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21117

Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2020): What the Ur-crustacean Looked Like. In: Poore, G. & Thiel, M. (eds.) Evolution and Biogeography (Volume 8 in the Series The Natural History of the Crustacea). Oxford University Press. pp. 1-20.

Huckstorf, K.; Wirkner, C.S. (2019): Comparative morphology of the hemolymph vascular system in mygalomorphs (Araneae; Opisthothelae). Journal of Arachnology 47: 334-343.

Wolff, J. O.; Wiegmann C.; Wirkner, C.S.; Koehnsen A.; Gorb S.N. (2019): Traction reinforcement in prehensile feet of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones). Journal of Experimental Biology 222: jeb192187.

Runge, J.; Wirkner, C.S. (2019): A unified morphological scenario for the evolution of haemolymph pressure generation in spiders (Araneae: Arachnida). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 186: 353-384.

Göpel, T.; Wirkner, C.S. (2018): Morphological description, character conceptualization and the reconstruction of ancestral states exemplified by the evolution of arthropod hearts. PLoS ONE 13(9): e0201702 .

Scholz, S.; Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2018): Constant morphological patterns in the hemolymph vascular system of crayfish (Crustacea, Decapoda). Arthropod Structure & Development 47: 248-267.

Klußmann-Fricke, B.-J.; Wirkner, C.S. (2018): Same same but different: A stunning analogy between the tracheal and vascular supply in the CNS of different arachnids. Organisms, Diversity and Evolution 18: 225-239.

Grams, M.; Wirkner, C.S.; Runge, J. (2018): Serial and special: comparison of podomeres and muscles in tactile vs walking legs of whip scorpions (Arachnida, Uropygi). Zoologischer Anzeiger 273: 75-101.

Kaji, T.; Anker, A.; Wirkner, C.S.; Palmer, A.R. (2018): Parallel saltational evolution of ultrafast movements in snapping shrimp claws. Current Biology 28: 106-113.

Richter, S.; Schwentner, M.; Wirkner, C.S.; Ahyong, S.T. (2018): Phylogeny and species diversity of Tasmanian mountain shrimps and their relatives (Crustacea, Anaspidesidae). Zoologica Scripta 47(1): 84–105. 112.

Wirkner, C.S.; Göpel, T.; Runge, J.; Keiler, J.; Klußmann-Fricke, B.-J.; Huckstorf, K.; Scholz, S.; Mikó, I.; Yoder, M.L.; Richter, S.(2017): The first organ-based ontology for arthropods (Ontology of Arthropod Circulatory Systems - OArCS) and its integration into a novel formalization scheme for morphological descriptions. Systematic Biology 66: 754-768.

Keiler, J.; Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S. (2017): One hundred years of carcinization – the evolution of the crab-like habitus in Anomura (Arthropoda: Crustacea). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 121: 200-222.

Giere, O.; Wirkner, C.S.; Steinmann, D.; Fend, S.; Hoeger, U. (2017): Structural and physiological characteristics of Limnodrilus sulphurensis (Oligochaeta, Annelida) thriving in high sulfide conditions. Hydrobiologia 790: 109-123.

Franz-Guess, S.; Klußmann-Fricke, B.-J.; Wirkner, C.S.; Prendini, L.; Starck, J.M. (2016): Morphology of the tracheal system of camel spiders (Chelicerata: Solifugae) based on micro-CT and 3D-reconstruction in exemplar species from three families. Arthropod Structure & Development 45: 440-451.

Morris, G.K.; Braun, H.; Wirkner, C.S. (2016) Stridulation of the clear-wing meadow katydid Xiphelimum amplipennis, adaptive bandwidth. Bioacoustics 25: 225-251.

Keiler, J.; Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2016): Revealing their innermost secrets: an evolutionary perspective on the disparity of the organ systems in anomuran crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura). Contributions to Zoology 85(4): 361-386.

KlußmannFricke, B.J.; Wirkner, C.S. (2016): Comparative morphology of the hemolymph vascular system in Uropygi and Amblypygi (Arachnida): Complex correspondences support Arachnopulmonata. Journal of Morphology 277: 1084-1103.

Runge, J.; Wirkner, C.S. (2016): The hemolymph vascular system in Araneus diadematus with special focus on intraspecific variability in artery systems. Journal of Arachnology 44 (2): 153-164.

Paoli, F.; Wirkner, C.S.; Cannicci, S. (2015): The branchiostegal lung of Uca vocans (Decapoda: Ocypodidae): unreported complexity revealed by corrosion casting and MicroCT techniques. Arthropod Structure & Development 44: 622-629.

Wirkner, C.S.; Xylander, W.E.R. (2015): The Diplopoda – The circulatory system.  In: Minelli, A. (ed.), Treatise on Zoology. Myriapoda, volume 2. Brill. Pp. 153-160.

Huckstorf, K.; Michalik, P.; Ramírez, M.J.; Wirkner, C.S. (2015): Evolutionary morphology of the hemolymph vascular system of basal araneomorph spiders (Araneae: Araneomorphae). Arthropod Structure & Development 44: 609-621.

Jaszkowiak, K.; Keiler, J.; Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S. (2015): The mouth apparatus of Lithodes maja (Crustacea: Decapoda) - form, function and biological role. Acta Zoologica 96: 401-417.

Keiler, J.; Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S. (2015): The anatomy of the king crab Hapalogaster mertensii Brandt, 1850 (Anomura: Paguroidea: Hapalogastridae) – new insights into the evolutionary transformation of hermit crabs into king crabs. Contributions to Zoology 84: 149-165.

Hilken, G.; Edgecombe, G.D.; Müller, C.H.G.; Sombke, A.; Wirkner, C.S.; Rosenberg, J. (2015): Interaction of the tracheal tubules of Scutigera coleoptrata (Chilopoda, Notostigmophora) with glandular structures of the pericardial septum. ZooKeys 510: 233-242.

Göpel, T.; Wirkner, C.S. (2015): An “ancient” complexity? Evolutionary morphology of the circulatory system in Xiphosura. Zoology 118:221-238.

Stegner, M.E.J.; Stemme T.; Iliffe T.M; Richter S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2015): The brain in three crustaceans from cavernous darkness. BMC Neuroscience 16: 19.

Deans, A.R. et al. (73 co-authors) (2015): Finding our way through phenotypes. PLoS Biology 13: e1002033.

Keiler, J.; Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2015): Evolutionary morphology of the organ systems in squat lobsters and porcelain crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomala) - an insight into carcinization. Journal of Morphology 276: 1-21.

Klußmann-Fricke, B.-J.; Pomrehn, S.W.; Wirkner, C.S. (2014): A wonderful network unraveled - Detailed description of capillaries in the prosomal ganglion of scorpions. Frontiers in Zoology 11:28.

Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2014): A research program for Evolutionary Morphology. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research 52: 338-350.

Michalik, P.; Ramírez, M.J.; Wirkner C.S.; Lipke, E. (2014) Morphological evidence for limited sperm production in the enigmatic Tasmanian cave spider Hickmania troglodytes (Austrochilidae, Araneae). Invertebrate Biology 133: 180-187.

Keiler, J.; Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2013): Evolutionary Morphology of the Hemolymph Vascular System in Hermit and King Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomala). Journal of Morphology 274: 759-778.

Kenning, M.; Müller, C.; Wirkner, C.S.; Harzsch, S. (2013): The Malacostraca (Crustacea) from a neurophylogenetic perspective: new insights from brain architecture in Nebalia herbstii Leach, 1814 (Leptostraca, Phyllocarida). Zoologischer Anzeiger 252: 319-336.

Dohle, W.; Wirkner, C.S. (2013): Myriapoda, Tausendfüßer. In: Westheide, W.; Rieger, G. (eds.) Spezielle Zoologie. Teil 1. Einzeller und Wirbellose Tiere. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag. pp. 547-560.

Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2013): Objekte der Morphologie.  In:  Bruhn M.,  Scholtz G. (eds.) Morphologien. Bildwelten des Wissens 9.2. Akademie Verlag Berlin. pp. 93-97.

Wirkner, C.S.; Tögel. M.; Pass, G. (2013): The Arthropod Circulatory System. In: Minelli, A.; Boxshall, G.; Fusco, G. (eds.) Arthropod Biology and Evolution -Molecules, Development, Morphology. Springer, Heidelberg. pp. 343-391.

Wirkner, C.S.; Huckstorf, K. (2013): The circulatory system of spiders. In: Nentwig W (ed.) Spider Ecophysiology. Springer, Heidelberg. pp. 15-27.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S. (2013): Respiratory structures and circulatory system design. In: Thiel, M. & Watling, L. (eds.) Functional morphology and diversity (Volume 1 in the Series The Natural History of the Crustacea). Oxford University Press. pp. 376-412.

Huckstorf, K.; Kosok, G.; Seyfarth, E.-A.; Wirkner, C.S. (2013): The hemolymph vascular system in Cupiennius salei (Araneae: Ctenidae). Zoologischer Anzeiger 252: 76-87.

Szucsich, N.U.; Wirkner, C.S.; Pass, G.  (2013): Deconstructing morphology: reply to Scholtz (2010). Acta Zoologica 94: 215–217.

Klußmann-Fricke, B.-J.; Prendini, L.; Wirkner, C.S. (2012): Evolutionary Morphology of the hemolymph vascular system in scorpions: a character analysis. Arthropod Structure & Development 41: 545-560.

Szucsich, N.U.; Pennerstorfer, M.; Wirkner, C.S.  (2011): The mouthparts of Scutigerella immaculata (Symphyla): Correspondences and variation among serially homologous head appendages. Arthropod Structure & Development 40: 105-121.

Huckstorf, K.; Wirkner, C.S. (2011): Comparative morphology of the hemolymph vascular system in Krill (Euphausiacea; Crustacea). Arthropod Structure & Development 40: 39-53.

Hilken, G.; Minelli, A.; Müller, C.H.G.; Rosenberg, J.; Sombke, A.;  Wirkner, C.S. (2011): The Chilopoda – History of research. Chapter 2.  In: Minelli, A. (ed.), Treatise on Zoology. Myriapoda, volume 1. Brill. pp. 22-42.

Hilken, G.; Rosenberg, J.; Sombke, A.;  Wirkner, C.S.;  Müller, C.H.G. (2011): The Chilopoda – The tracheal system. Chapter 7.  In: Minelli, A. (ed.), Treatise on Zoology. Myriapoda, volume 1. Brill. pp. 137-155.

Wirkner, C.S.; Hilken, G.; Rosenberg, J. (2011): The Chilopoda – The circulatory system. Chapter 8  In: Minelli, A. (ed.), Treatise on Zoology. Myriapoda, volume 1. Brill. pp. 157-176.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S.(2010): Evolutionary morphology of the circulatory system in Peracarida (Malacostraca; Crustacea). Cladistics 26: 143-167.

Richter, S.; Møller, O.S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2009): Advances in crustacean phylogenetics. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 67: 275-286.

Wirkner, C.S. (2009): The circulatory system in Malacostraca – evaluating character evolution on the basis of differing phylogenetic hypotheses. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 67: 57-70.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S. (2009): The hemolymph vascular system in Tethysbaena argentarii (Thermosbaenacea, Monodellidae) as revealed by 3D reconstruction of semi-thin sections. Journal of Crustacean Biology 29: 13-17.

Müller, H.; Wilkinson, M.; Loader, S.P.; Wirkner, C.S.; Gower, D.J. (2009): Morphology and function of the head in foetal and juvenile Scolecomorphus kirkii (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Scolecomorphidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 96: 491-504.

Vogt, G.; Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S.(2009): Symmetry variation in the heart-descending artery system of the parthenogenetic Marbled Crayfish. Journal of Morphology 207: 221-226.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S.(2008): Morphology of the hemolymph vascular system in Tanaidacea and Cumacea - implications for the relationships of 'core group' Peracarida (Malacostraca; Crustacea). Arthropod Structure & Development 37: 141-154.

Wirkner, C.S.; Prendini, L. (2007): Comparative morphology of the hemolymph vascular system of scorpions - a survey using corrosion casting, MicroCT and 3D-reconstruction. Journal of Morphology 268: 401-413.

Szucsich, N.U.; Wirkner, C.S. (2007): Homology - a synthetic concept of evolutionary robustness of patterns. Zoologica Scripta 36: 281-289.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S.(2007): Comparative analysis of the circulatory system in Amphipoda (Malacostraca, Crustacea). Acta Zoologica 88: 159-171.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S.(2007): The circulatory system and its spatial relations to other major organ systems in Spelaeogriphacea and Mictacea (Malacostraca, Crustacea) – a three-dimensional analysis. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 149: 629-642.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S.(2007): The circulatory system of Mysidacea revisited – implications for the phylogenetic position of Mysida and Lophogastrida (Malacostraca, Crustacea). Journal of Morphology 268: 311-328.

Hilken, G.; Wirkner, C.S.; Rosenberg, J. (2006): On the structure and function of the aortic diverticles in Scutigera coleoptrata (Chilopoda, Scutigeromorpha). The Norwegian Journal of Entomology 53: 107-112.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S.(2004): Improvement of Microanatomical Research by Combining Corrosion Casts With MicroCT and 3D Reconstruction, Exemplified in the Circulatory Organs of the Woodlouse. Microscopy Research and Technique 64: 250-254.

Richter, S.; Wirkner, C.S. (2004): Kontroversen in der phylogenetischen Systematik der Euarthropoda. In: Richter, S.;  Sudhaus, W. (eds.): Kontroversen in der phylogenetischen Systematik der Metazoa. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin 43: 73-102.

Wirkner, C.S.; Richter, S. (2003): The circulatory system in Phreatoicidea: implications for the isopod ground pattern and peracarid phylogeny. Arthropod Structure & Development 32: 337-347.

Hertel, W.; Wirkner, C.S.; Pass, G. (2002): Studies on the cardiac physiology of Onychophora and Chilopoda. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A 133: 605–609.

Wirkner, C.S.; Pass, G. (2002): The circulatory system in Chilopoda: functional morphology and phylogenetic aspects. Acta Zoologica 83: 193-202.

Wirkner, C.S.; Stagl, V.; Turk, N. (2002): Type specimens of the Chordeumatida in the Natural History Museum Vienna (Diplopoda). Kataloge der wissenschaftlichen Sammlungen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. Band 16: Myriapoda, Heft 1.

Wirkner, C.S.; Pass, G. (2000): Comparative morphology and evolution of the circulatory system in Chilopoda. Fragmenta faunistica Supplement 43: 83-86.

Memberships
VBiO
Crustacean Society
Deutsche Zoologische Gesellschaft
Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik
International Society for Invertebrate Morphology
Verein der Freunde und Förderer der Zoologischen Sammlung Rostock e.V.