Anthony Russell, University of Calgary

Research

Read how they describe their research on their University of Calgary profile.

Biology and ecology of gekkonid lizards Kinematics of locomotion in sprawling tetrapods Mechanical properties of the integument of amniotes Relative growth of squamate axial and appendicular components.“Reptilian” paleobiology Mechanics of claw retraction in carnivores

Latest papers

Subdigital integumentary microstructure in Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkota): do those lineages with incipiently expressed toepads exclusively exhibit adhesive setae?
Beilstein journal of nanotechnology · 2026
Exploring the Influence of Neomorphic Gekkotan Paraphalanges on Limb Modularity and Integration.
Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution · 2025 · senior author
Variation in claw morphology among the digits of Bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus: Gekkota: Gekkonidae).
BMC zoology · 2023

All 3 publications

Latest funding

Self-contained shielded-cabinet digital x-ray system
NSERC · 2008 · Principal investigator
$126,278
Evolutionary origins of the gekkotan adhesive system
NSERC · 2008 · Principal investigator
$200,600
Evolutionary morphology of the gekkotan adhesive system
NSERC · 2003 · Principal investigator
$200,600

All 9 grants and awards

3 publications.

01

Subdigital integumentary microstructure in Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkota): do those lineages with incipiently expressed toepads exclusively exhibit adhesive setae?

Ginal P, Ecker Y, Higham T, Grismer LL, Wipfler B, Rödder D, Russell A, Riedel J

Beilstein journal of nanotechnology2026

DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.17.4 PMID: 41531751

02

Exploring the Influence of Neomorphic Gekkotan Paraphalanges on Limb Modularity and Integration.

Fratani J, Fontanarrosa G, Duport-Bru AS, Russell A

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23275 PMID: 39221754

03

Variation in claw morphology among the digits of Bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus: Gekkota: Gekkonidae).

Riedel J, Klemm M, Higham T, Grismer LL, Ziegler T, Russell A, Rödder D, Reinhold K

BMC zoology2023

DOI: 10.1186/s40850-023-00180-x PMID: 37684659

Self-contained shielded-cabinet digital x-ray system

Principal investigatorNSERC2008Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Principal investigators: Russell, Anthony

$126,278

Evolutionary origins of the gekkotan adhesive system

Principal investigatorNSERC2008Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Russell, Anthony

$200,600

Evolutionary morphology of the gekkotan adhesive system

Principal investigatorNSERC2003Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Russell, Anthony

$200,600

Kananaskis Field Stations (Barrier Lake Station & R.B. Miller Station)

Co-investigatorNSERC2002Major Facilities Access Grants

Principal investigators: Johnson, Edward

$210,000

Evolutionary morphology of the avian breast-shoulder apparatus

Principal investigatorNSERC1999Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Russell, Anthony

$147,000

Kananaskis Field Stations (Barrier Lake & R.B. Miller Stations)

Co-investigatorNSERC1999Major Facilities Access Grants

Principal investigators: Johnson, Edward

$120,000

Kananaskis field station (Barrier Lake field station and R.B. Miller field station)

Co-investigatorNSERC1996Major Facilities Access Grants

Principal investigators: Johnson, Edward

$111,000

Functional and evolutionary morphology of the anoline adhesive system

Principal investigatorNSERC1993Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Russell, Anthony

$231,800

The relationship between axial and limb kinematics in lizards and crocodilians

Principal investigatorNSERC1990Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Russell, Anthony

$57,320

From public funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998 with their latest competition results, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Genome Canada, the Canadian Space Agency, Canada Research Chairs, the Fonds de recherche du Québec, Ontario research funding, Michael Smith Health Research BC, the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada.

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Paper to mention

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Biology and ecology of gekkonid lizards Dear Professor Russell, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Subdigital integumentary microstructure in Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkota): do those lineages with incipiently expressed toepads exclusively exhibit adhesive setae?" (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]