Research

Since my beginnings as a scientist I focus on evolutionary development. As a postdoc in Prof. Scholtz’ group I work on the evolution of the nauplius larva within copepods. Copepods represent the most species-rich crustacean group. Despite their enormous diversity they all develop through a nauplius larva that is common in many crustaceans but is only rarely studied in the context of crustacean evolution. Within my work I focus on comparative analysis of larval development, like neurogenesis and segmentation as well as morphological-anatomical studies of the muscle system in the context of evolution of benthic and pelagic life styles within copepods.