B.A., University of California at Berkeley, 1995
Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder, 2001

Research Interests   top

My primary interest is in the ecology and evolution of vertebrates. Current research focuses on the effects of habitat fragmentation on the ecology, life history and genetic differentiation of reptiles endemic to Florida scrub habitat. Other research projects include the study of general ecological and evolutionary patterns, particularly those that relate to body size and life history. I am also quite interested in applying phylogenetic comparative methods to examine the evolution of organismal traits, particularly with respect to intraspecific variation.

Ashton, K. G. 1999. Shedding aggregations of Crotalus viridis concolor. Herpetological Review 30: 211-213.

Ashton, K. G., M. C. Tracy, and A. de Queiroz. 2000. Is Bergmann’s rule valid for mammals? The American Naturalist 156: 390-415.

Ashton, K. G. 2000. Notes on the island populations of the western rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis. Herpetological Review 31: 214-217.

Ashton, K. G, and T. M. Patton. 2001. Movement and reproductive biology of female midget faded rattlesnakes, Crotalus viridis concolor, in Wyoming. Copeia 2001: 229-234.  

Ashton, K. G., and A. de Queiroz. 2001. Molecular systematics of the western rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis (Viperidae), with comments on the utility of the D-loop in phylogenetic studies of snakes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 21:176-189.

Ashton, K. G. 2001. Are ecological and evolutionary rules being dismissed prematurely? Diversity and Distributions 7:289-295.

Ashton, K. G. 2001. Body size variation among mainland populations of the western rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). Evolution 55:2523-2533.

Ashton, K. G. 2002. Headfirst ingestion of prey by rattlesnakes: are tactile cues used? Journal of Herpetology 36: in press.

Ashton, K. G. 2002. Sexing Cnemidophorus lizards using a post-anal scale character. Herpetological Review 33: in press.

•  2001-present: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Archbold Biological Station

• 2001-present: Adjunct faculty, Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville

• 1996-2001: Teaching Assistant for Vertebrate Zoology, Animal Behavior, Evolutionary Biology, and General Biology (University of Colorado, Boulder)

• 2001: Guest lecture on kin selection, Evolutionary Biology course (University of Colorado, Boulder)
• 1999-2000: Guest lecturer on natural history of reptiles, Vertebrate Zoology course (University of Colorado, Boulder)
• 1999: Updated vertebrate teaching collections, University of Colorado Museum
• 1997-1998: Graduate Assistant of Vertebrate Collections, University of Colorado Museum
• 1996: Curatorial Assistant of Herpetology, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California at Berkeley
• 1995: Work study assistant, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California at Berkeley
• 1993: Supplemental Instructor for Pre-Algebra, Western Wyoming Community College

• 2000: City of Boulder Open Space, $5000
• 1999: Research Assistance Grant, Graduate School, University of Colorado, $200
• 1999: The Explorers Club Exploration Fund, $1200
• 1999: Walker Van Riper Fund, University of Colorado Museum, $1000
• 1999: E. P. O. Biology Department Grant, University of Colorado, $1300
• 1998: Carnegie Museum of Natural History, collection study grant in herpetology, $250
• 1998: Colorado Mountain Club Foundation Grant, $700 
• 1998: E. P. O. Biology Department Grant, University of Colorado, $1000
• 1998: American Museum of Natural History, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Grant, $870
• 1998: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Grants-in-Herpetology,$500
• 1997: Dean’s Small Grant, University of Colorado at Boulder, $600
• 1997: Walker Van Riper Fund, University of Colorado Museum, $750
• 1997: Colorado Mountain Club Foundation Grant, $900
• 1997: E. P. O. Biology Department Fellowship, University of Colorado, $500