Robert Asher researches the evolution and development of vertebrates, particularly mammals. He is also interested in the history of evolutionary theory and areas of overlap between science and philosophy.
Current research topics include:
Current projects include the fossil history of rodents and lagomorphs (Glires), the history of vertebrate classifications (both evolutionary and non-evolutionary), quantifying accuracy of anatomical data in phylogenetics, development and homology of dentitions, and the timing of high-level mammalian divergences.
Key Publications
Asher RJ, Smith MR. 2021 Accepted. Phylogenetic Signal and Bias in Paleontology. Systematic Biology. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syab072
Asher RJ, Smith MR, Rankin A, Emry, RJ. 2019. Congruence, fossils, and the evolutionary tree of rodents and lagomorphs. Royal Society Open Science 6: 190387. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.190387
Asher RJ. 2018. Diversity and Relationships within Crown Mammalia. In Zachos F and Asher RJ. Handbook of Zoology: Mammalia. Berlin: Walter deGruyter. https://www.degruyter.com/viewbooktoc/product/212343
Carrillo J, Asher RJ. 2017. An exceptionally well preserved skeleton of Thomashuxleya externa (Mammalia, Notoungulata), from the Eocene of Patagonia, Argentina. Paleontologica Electronica 20.2.34A. http://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2017/1930-anatomy-and-systematics-of-thomashuxleya-externa-notoungulata
Brockelhurst RJ, Crumpton N, Button E, Asher RJ 2016. Jaw anatomy of Potamogale velox (Tenrecidae, Afrotheria) with a focus on cranial arteries and the coronoid canal in mammals. PeerJ 4:e1906; DOI 10.7717/peerj.1906. https://peerj.com/articles/1906/