I study organogenesis during larval development of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus (Decapoda, Brachyura) using various histological techniques. All rearing and breeding of the larvae are carried out at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) on Helgoland whereas the histological analysis takes place at the University of Greifswald. Firstly, I am intrested into the development of selected organ systems (e. g., nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system) across all five Zoea stages into the Megalopa at optimal rearing conditions (green). Addionally H.sanguineus is able to develop a sixth zoea larvae under unfavorable conditions (15°C).  I address the topic of developmental plasticity by comparing organogenesis in larvae that take the normal (five zoeal stages) versus long (six zoeal stages) developmental pathways. Another question of my PhD concerns the first metamorphosis from the zoea in to the megalopa. This metamorphosis is a drastic step in development, because the external morphology of the animal changes tremendously and the internal morphology needs to develop accordingly. . 

To answer these questions, I will use classical histology as well as immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy. The larvae will be reared