Robert L. Anstey , Professor
Invertebrate Paleontology
Ph.D., Indiana University

Office:  307 Natural Science
Phone:  (517)353-9009
Email:   anstey@msu.edu

Research group - Ancient Life Systems

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Research Interests:     

• Phylogeny, evolutionary history, micro-and macroevolution, and biogeography of marine Bryozoa.
• Use of cladistics as a way of establishing evolutionary pathways in phenetic morphospace.
• Analysis of heritability, selection, microevolution, and speciation in the genus Peronopora.

Description:    

I am interested in the biology and paleobiology of marine Bryozoa, particularly their phylogeny and evolutionary history. This interest area includes their microevolution and macroevolution, systematics, diversity history, and biogeography. I have paid particular attention to the bryozoans of the Paleozoic Era, and have analyzed events like the initial radiation of the phylum in the Early Ordovician, as well subsequent events such as the Late Ordovician, Mid-Devonian, and Late Permian extinctions. My research techniques have included quantitative stereology and other quantitative morphometric methods, and I have used cladistics as a way of establishing evolutionary pathways in phenetic morphospace. My current research includes analysis of heritability, selection, microevolution, and speciation in a specimen-based phylogeny of the genus Peronopora.

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Selected Publications:

• Pachut, J.F., and Anstey, R.L. 2009. Inferring evolutionary modes in a fossil lineage (Bryozoa: Peronopora) from the Middle and Late Ordovician. Paleobiology 35.
• Pachut, J.F., and Anstey, R.L. 2007. Inferring evolutionary order and durations using both stratigraphy and cladistics in a fossil lineage (Bryozoa: Peronopora). Palaios 22: 476-488.
• Anstey R.L., and Pachut J.F. 2004. Cladistic and phenetic recognition of species in the Ordovician bryozoan genus Peronopora. J. Paleontol. 78 (4): 651-674.
• Pachut, J. F., and Anstey, R. L. 2002. Phylogeny, systematics, and biostratigraphy of the Ordovician bryozoan genus Peronopora. J. Paleontol. 76 (4): 607-637.
• Horowitz, A. S., Pachut, J. F., and Anstey, R. L. 1996. Devonian bryozoan diversity, extinctions, and originations. J. Paleontol. 70:373-380.
• Erwin, D. H., and Anstey, R. L. eds. 1995. New Approaches to Speciation in the Fossil Record. Columbia University Press, New York. 342 pp.
• Anstey, R. L., and Pachut, J. F. 1995. Phylogeny, diversity history, and speciation in Paleozoic bryozoans. In New Approaches to Speciation in the Fossil Record, D.H. Erwin and R.L. Anstey (eds.), pp. 239-284, Columbia University Press, New York. 342 pp.