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Current number of manuscripts submitted or in review: 1
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Current number of manuscripts accepted or in press: 1
Updated 2024-11-10
2024
98. Kosch, T.A., Torres-Sánchez, M., Liedtke, H.C., Summers, K., Yun, M.H., Crawford, A.J., Maddock, S.T., Ahammed, M.S., Araújo, V.L.N., Bertola, L.V., Bucciarelli, G.M., Carné, A., Carneiro, C.M., Chan, K.O., Chen, Y., Crottini, A., da Silva, J.M., Denton, R.D., Dittrich, C., Espregueira Themudo, G., Farquharson, K.A., Forsdick, N.J., Gilbert, E., Che, J., Katzenback, B.A., Kotharambath, R., Levis, N.A., Márquez, R., Mazepa, G., Mulder, K.P., Müller, H., O’Connell, M.J., Orozco-terWengel, P., Palomar, G., Petzold, A., Pfennig, D.W., Pfennig, K.S., Reichert, M.S., Robert, J., Scherz, M.D., Siu-Ting, K., Snead, A.A., Stöck, M., Stuckert, A.M.M., Stynoski, J.L., Tarvin, R.D., Wollenberg Valero, K.C. & The Amphibian Genomics Consortium. (2024) The Amphibian Genomics Consortium: advancing genomic and genetic resources for amphibian research and conservation. BMC Genomics, 25(1):1025. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10899-7 [pdf]
97. Vences, M., Köhler, J., Hutter, C.R., Preick, M., Petzold, A., Rakotoarison, A., Ratsoavina, F.M., Glaw, F. & Scherz, M.D. (2024) Communicator whistles: a Trek through the taxonomy of the Boophis marojezensis complex reveals seven new, morphologically cryptic treefrogs from Madagascar (Amphibia: Anura: Mantellidae). Vertebrate Zoology, 74:643–681. DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e121110 [pdf]
96. Rakotoarison, A., Vences, M., Andreone, F., Crottini, A., Glaw, F., Scherz, M.D. & Raselimanana, A.P. (2024) A new species of colorful Platypelis (Amphibia: Microhylidae) from the Tsaratanàna and Bemanevika massifs in northern Madagascar. Zootaxa, 5501(1):171–180. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5501.1.8 [Request PDF]
95. Renner, S.S., Scherz, M.D., Schoch, C.L., Gottschling, M. & Vences, M. (2024) Improving the gold standard in NCBI GenBank and related databases: DNA sequences from type specimens and type strains. Systematic Biology, 73(2):486–494. DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syad068 [PDF]
94. Scherz, M.D., Rudolph, J., Rakotondratsima, M., Ratsoavina, F.M., Crottini, A., Andreone, F., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2024) Molecular systematics of the subgenus Gephyromantis (Phylacomantis) with description of a new subspecies. Zootaxa, 5446(2):205–220. DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5446.2.3 [Request PDF]
93. Vences, M., Köhler, J., Scherz, M.D., Hutter, C.R., Rabe Maheritafika, H.M., Rafanoharana, J.M., Raherinjatovo, H., Rakotoarison, A., Andreone, F., Raselimanana, A.P. & Glaw, F. (2024) Four new species of forest-dwelling mantellid frogs from Madagascar allied to Gephyromantis moseri (Amphibia, Anura). Spixiana, 46(2):297–319. [pdf]
92. Scherz, M.D. (2024) Transforming herpetology teaching in Animal Morphology through greater student engagement. Improving University Science Teaching and Learning, 20(1):1–14. [pdf]
2023
91. Luedtke, J.A., Chanson, J., Neam, K., Hobin, L., Maciel, A.O., Catenazzi, A., Borzée, A., Hamidy, A., Aowphol, A., Jean, A., Sosa-Bartuano, Á., Fong G, A., de Silva, A., Fouquet, A., Angulo, A., Kidov, A.A., Muñoz Saravia, A., Diesmos, A.C., Tominaga, A., Shrestha, B., Gratwicke, B., Tjaturadi, B., Martínez Rivera, C.C., Vásquez Almazán, C.R., Señaris, C., Chandramouli, S.R., Strüssmann, C., Cortez Fernández, C.F., Azat, C., Hoskin, C.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Whyte, D.L., Gower, D.J., Olson, D.H., Cisneros-Heredia, D.F., Santana, D.J., Nagombi, E., Najafi-Majd, E., Quah, E.S.H., Bolaños, F., Xie, F., Brusquetti, F., Álvarez, F.S., Andreone, F., Glaw, F., Castañeda, F.E., Kraus, F., Parra-Olea, G., Chaves, G., Medina-Rangel, G.F., González-Durán, G., Ortega-Andrade, H.M., Machado, I.F., Das, I., Dias, I.R., Urbina-Cardona, J.N., Crnobrnja-Isailović, J., Yang, J.-H., Jianping, J., Wangyal, J.T., Rowley, J.J.L., Measey, J., Vasudevan, K., Chan, K.O., Gururaja, K.V., Ovaska, K., Warr, L.C., Canseco-Márquez, L., Toledo, L.F., Díaz, L.M., Khan, M.M.H., Meegaskumbura, M., Acevedo, M.E., Napoli, M.F., Ponce, M.A., Vaira, M., Lampo, M., Yánez-Muñoz, M.H., Scherz, M.D., Rödel, M.-O., Matsui, M., Fildor, M., Kusrini, M.D., Ahmed, M.F., Rais, M., Kouamé, N.G.G., García, N., Gonwouo, N.L., Burrowes, P.A., Imbun, P.Y., Wagner, P., Kok, P.J.R., Joglar, R.L., Auguste, R.J., Brandão, R.A., Ibáñez, R., von May, R., Hedges, S.B., Biju, S.D., Ganesh, S.R., Wren, S., Das, S., Flechas, S.V., Ashpole, S.L., Robleto-Hernández, S.J., Loader, S.P., Incháustegui, S.J., Garg, S., Phimmachak, S., Richards, S.J., Slimani, T., Osborne-Naikatini, T., Abreu-Jardim, T.P.F., Condez, T.H., De Carvalho, T.R., Cutajar, T.P., Pierson, T.W., Nguyen, T.Q., Kaya, U., Yuan, Z., Long, B., Langhammer, P. & Stuart, S.N. (2023) Ongoing declines for the world’s amphibians in the face of emerging threats. Nature DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06578-4 [pdf] | [Research Briefing on the paper]
90. Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D., Mullin, K.E., Crottini, A., Petzold, A., Ranjanaharisoa, F.A., Maheritafika, H.M.R., Rafanoharana, J.M., Raherinjatovo, H., Andreone, F., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2023) Gray versus yellow: Identity, distribution range, color polymorphism and molecular relationships of the microhylid frog Platypelis mavomavo Andreone, Fenolio & Walvoord, 2003. Zootaxa, 5352(2):221–234. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.2.4 [Request PDF]
89. Glaw, F., Köhler, J., Ratsoavina, F.M., Raselimanana, A.P., Crottini, A., Gehring, P.-S., Böhme, W., Scherz, M.D. & Vences, M. (2023) A new large-sized species of leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) from northern Madagascar. Salamandra, 59(3):239–261. [pdf]
88. Vences, M., Multzsch, M., Köhler, J., Crottini, A., Andreone, F., Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D. & Glaw, F. (2023) Integrative revision of the Blommersia wittei complex, with description of a new species of frog from western and north-western Madagascar. Zootaxa, 5319(2):178–198. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5319.2.2 [Request PDF]
87. Vences, M., Hutter, C.R., Glaw, F., Rakotoarison, A., Raselimanana, A.P. & Scherz, M.D. (2023) A new species of Pandanus-dwelling frog from northern Madagascar related to Guibemantis pulcher. Zootaxa, 5306(1):97–115. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5306.1.4 [Request PDF]
86. Gehring, P.-S., Scherz, M.D., Bailey, C.A., Louis, E.E., Ratsoavina, F.M., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2023) High diversity of deep mitochondrial lineages meets low morphological distinctiveness – insights into the complex phylogeography of the Malagasy leaf-tailed geckos Uroplatus sikorae and U. sameiti. Salamandra, 59(2):158–178. [pdf]
85. Koppetsch, T., Pabijan, M., Hutter, C.R., Köhler, J., Gehring, P.-S., Rakotoarison, A., Ratsoavina, F.M., Scherz, M.D., Vieites, D.R., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2023) An initial molecular resolution of the mantellid frogs of the Guibemantis liber complex reveals three new species from northern Madagascar. Vertebrate Zoology, 73:397–432. DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e94063 [pdf]
84. Scherz, M.D., Schmidt, R., Brown, J.L., Glos, J., Lattenkamp, E.Z., Rakotomalala, Z., Rakotoarison, A., Rakotonindrina, R.T., Randriamalala, O., Raselimanana, A.P., Rasolonjatovo, S.M., Ratsoavina, F.M., Razafindraibe, J.H., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2023) Repeated divergence of amphibians and reptiles across an elevational gradient in northern Madagascar. Ecology and Evolution, 13(3):e9914. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9914 [pdf]
2022
83. Scherz, M.D., Crottini, A., Hutter, C.R., Hildenbrand, A., Andreone, F., Fulgence, T.R., Köhler, G., Ndraintsoa, S.H., Ohler, A., Preick, M., Rakotoarison, A., Rancilhac, L., Raselimanana, A.P., Riemann, J.C., Rödel, M.-O., Rosa, G.M., Streicher, J.W., Vieites, D.R., Köhler, J., Hofreiter, M., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2022) An inordinate fondness for inconspicuous brown frogs: integration of phylogenomics, archival DNA analysis, morphology, and bioacoustics yields 24 new taxa in the subgenus Brygoomantis (genus Mantidactylus) from Madagascar. Megataxa, 7(2):113–311. DOI: 10.11646/megataxa.7.2.1 [high-resolution pdf, 336.8 MB; low-resolution pdf, 14.1 MB]
82. Vences, M., Multzsch, M., Gippner, S., Miralles, A., Crottini, A., Gehring, P.-S., Rakotoarison, A., Ratsoavina, F.M., Glaw, F. & Scherz, M.D. (2022) Integrative revision of the Lygodactylus madagascariensis group reveals an unexpected diversity of little brown geckos in Madagascar’s rainforest. Zootaxa, 5179(1):1–61. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5179.1.1 [pdf]
81. Strong, C., Scherz, M.D. & Caldwell, M.W. (2022) Convergence, divergence, and macroevolutionary constraint as revealed by anatomical network analysis of the squamate skull, with an emphasis on snakes. Scientific Reports, 12:14469. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18649-z [pdf]
80. Mullin, K.E., Rakotomanga, M.G., Dawson, J., Glaw, F., Rakotoarison, A., Orozco-terWengel, P. & Scherz, M.D. (2022) An unexpected new red-bellied Stumpffia (Microhylidae) from forest fragments in central Madagascar highlights remaining cryptic diversity. ZooKeys, 1104:1–28. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1104.82396 [pdf]
79. Zamani, A., Fric, Z.F., Gante, H.F., Hopkins, T., Orfinger, A.B., Scherz, M.D., Bartoňová, A.S. & dal Pos, D. (2022) DNA barcodes on their own are not enough to describe a species. Systematic Entomology, 47(3):385–389. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12538 [pdf]
78. Vences, M., Köhler, J., Crottini, A., Hofreiter, M., Hutter, C.R., du Preez, L., Preick, M., Rakotoarison, A., Rancilhac, L., Raselimanana, A.P., Rosa, G.M., Scherz, M.D. & Glaw, F. (2022) An integrative taxonomic revision and redefinition of Gephyromantis (Laurentomantis) malagasius based on archival DNA analysis reveals four new mantellid frog species from Madagascar. Vertebrate Zoology, 72:271–309. DOI: 10.3897/vz.72.e78830 [pdf]
77. Zamani, A., dal Pos, D., Fric, Z.F., Orfinger, A.B., Scherz, M.D., Bartoňová, A.S. & Gante, H.F. (2022) The future of zoological taxonomy is integrative, not minimalist. Systematics and Biodiversity, 20(1):1–14. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2063964 [pdf]
76. Scherz, M.D., Masonick, P., Meyer, A. & Hulsey, C.D. (2022) Between a rock and a hard polytomy: phylogenomics of the rock-dwelling mbuna cichlids of Lake Malawi. Systematic Biology, 71(3):741–757. DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syac006 [pdf]
75. Rasolonjatovo, S.M., Scherz, M.D., Schmidt, R., Glos, J., Rakotoarison, A., Raselimanana, A.P. & Vences, M. (2022) Population diversification in the frog Mantidactylus bellyi on an isolated massif in northern Madagascar: genetic, morphological, bioacoustic and ecological evidence. PLoS One, 17(3):e0263764. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263764 [pdf]
74. Belluardo, F., Scherz, M.D., Santos, B., Andreone, F., Antonelli, A., Glaw, F., Muñoz-Pajares, J., Randrianirina, J.E., Raselimanana, A.P., Vences, M. & Crottini, A. (2022) Molecular taxonomic identification and species-level phylogeny of the narrow-mouthed frogs of the genus Rhombophryne (Anura: Microhylidae: Cophylinae) from Madagascar. Systematics and Biodiversity, 20(1):1–13. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2039320 [pdf]
73. Rakotoarison, A., Glaw, F., Rasolonjatovo, S.M., Razafindraibe, J.H., Vences, M. & Scherz, M.D. (2022) Discovery of frogs of the Stumpffia hara species group (Microhylidae, Cophylinae) on Montagne d’Ambre in northern Madagascar, with description of a new species. Evolutionary Systematics, 6(1):21–33. DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.76382 [pdf]
2021
72. Vences, M., Köhler, J., Andreone, F., Craul, A.-K., Crottini, A., du Preez, L., Preick, M., Rancilhac, L., Rödel, M.-O., Scherz, M.D., Streicher, J.W., Hofreiter, M. & Glaw, F. (2021) Target-enriched DNA sequencing clarifies the identity of name-bearing types of the Gephyromantis plicifer complex and reveals a new species of mantellid frog from Madagascar (Amphibia, Anura). Spixiana, 44(2):175–202. [pdf]
71. Gippner, S., Travers, S.L., Scherz, M.D., Colston, T.J., Lyra, M.L., Mohan, A.V., Multzsch, M., Nielsen, S.V., Rancilhac, L., Glaw, F., Bauer, A.M. & Vences, M. (2021) A comprehensive phylogeny of dwarf geckos of the genus Lygodactylus, with insights into their systematics and morphological variation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 165:107311. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107311 [pdf]
70. Strong, C., Scherz, M.D. & Caldwell, M.W. (2021) Deconstructing the Gestalt: New concepts and tests of homology, as exemplified by a re-conceptualization of “microstomy” in squamates. Anatomical Record, 304:2303–2351. DOI: 10.1002/ar.24630 [pdf]
69. Hawlitschek, O., Scherz, M.D., Webster, K.C., Ineich, I. & Glaw, F. (2021) Morphological, osteological, and genetic data support a new species of Madatyphlops (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) endemic to Mayotte Island, Comoros Archipelago. Anatomical Record, 304:2249–2263. DOI: 10.1002/ar.24589 [pdf]
68. Ruthsatz, K., Scherz, M.D. & Vences, M. (2021) Dissecting the tree of life: the prospect of open-access digital resources in morphology, anatomy and taxonomy in training the next generation of zoologists. Zootaxa, 5016(3):448–450. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5016.3.10 [pdf]
67. Vences, M., Miralles, A., Brouillet, S., Ducasse, J., Fedosov, A., Kharchev, V., Kostadinov, I., Kumari, S., Patmanidis, S., Scherz, M.D., Puillandre, N. & Renner, S.S. (2021) iTaxoTools 0.1: Kickstarting a specimen-based software toolkit for taxonomists. Megataxa, 6:77–92. DOI: 10.11646/megataxa.6.2.1 [pdf]
66. Razafindraibe, J.H., Scherz, M.D., Dawson, J.S., Vences, M. & Rakotoarison, A. (2021) First record and probable reproductive mode of a true Stumpffia from Ambohitantely Special Reserve in the central highlands of Madagascar. Herpetology Notes, 14:493–495. [pdf]
65. Scherz, M.D., Schmidt, L., Crottini, A., Miralles, A., Rakotoarison, A., Raselimanana, A.P., Köhler, J., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2021) Into the Chamber of Horrors: A proposal for the resolution of nomenclatural chaos in the Scaphiophryne calcarata complex (Anura: Microhylidae), with a new species-level phylogenetic hypothesis for Scaphiophryninae. Zootaxa, 4938(1):392–420. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4938.4.2 [Request PDF]
64. Miralles, A., Bruy, T., Crottini, A., Rakotoarison, A., Ratsoavina, F.M., Scherz, M.D., Schmidt, R., Köhler, J., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2021) Completing a taxonomic puzzle: integrative review of geckos of the Paroedura bastardi species complex (Squamata, Gekkonidae). Vertebrate Zoology, 71:27–48. DOI: 10.3897/vertebrate-zoology.71.e59495 [pdf]
63. Glaw, F., Köhler, J., Hawlitschek, O., Ratsoavina, F.M., Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D. & Vences, M. (2021) Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons. Scientific Reports, 11:2522. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80955-1 [pdf]
62. Gorin, V.A., Scherz, M.D., Korost, D.V. & Poyarkov, N.A. (2021) Consequences of parallel miniaturisation in Microhylinae (Anura, Microhylidae), with the description of a new genus of diminutive South East Asian frogs. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 97(1):21–54. DOI: 10.3897/zse.97.57968 [pdf]
61. Prötzel, D., Heß, M., Schwager, M., Glaw, F. & Scherz, M.D. (2021) Neon-green fluorescence in the desert gecko Pachydactylus rangei caused by iridophores. Scientific Reports, 11:297. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79706-z [pdf]
60. Zamani, A., Vahtera, V., Sääksjärvi, I.E. & Scherz, M.D. (2021) The omission of critical data in the pursuit of ‘revolutionary’ methods to accelerate the description of species. Systematic Entomology, 46(1):1–4. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12444 [pdf] (published online in 2020, in print 2021)
2020
59. Rasolonjatovo, S.M., Scherz, M.D., Rakotoarison, A., Glos, J., Raselimanana, A.P. & Vences, M. (2020) Field body temperatures in the rainforest frog Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) bellyi from northern Madagascar: Variance and predictors. Malagasy Nature, 14:57–68. [pdf]
58. Ratsoavina, F.M., Glaw, F., Raselimanana, A.P., Rakotoarison, A., Vieites, D.R., Hawlitschek, O., Vences, M. & Scherz, M.D. (2020) Towards completion of the species inventory of small-sized leaf-tailed geckos: two new species of Uroplatus from northern Madagascar. Zootaxa, 4895(2):251–271. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4895.2.5 [Request PDF]
57. Scherz, M.D., Rasolonjatovo, S.M., Köhler, J., Rancilhac, L., Rakotoarison, A., Raselimanana, A.P., Ohler, A., Preick, M., Hofreiter, M., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2020) ‘Barcode fishing’ for archival DNA from historical type material overcomes taxonomic hurdles, enabling the description of a new frog species. Scientific Reports, 10:19109. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75431-9 [pdf]
56. Miralles, A., Bruy, T., Wolcott, K., Scherz, M.D., Begerow, D., Beszteri, B., Bonkowski, M., Felden, J., Gemeinholzer, B., Glaw, F., Glöckner, F.O., Hawlitschek, O., Kostadinov, I., Nattkemper, T.W., Printzen, C., Renz, J., Rybalka, N., Stadler, M., Weibulat, T., Wilke, T., Renner, S.S. & Vences, M. (2020) Repositories for taxonomic data: where we are and what is missing. Systematic Biology, 69(6):1231–1253. DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa026 [pdf]
55. Rancilhac, L., Bruy, T., Scherz, M.D., Pereira, E.A., Preick, M., Straube, N., Lyra, M., Ohler, A., Streicher, J.W., Andreone, F., Crottini, A., Hutter, C.R., Randrianantoandro, J.C., Rakotoarison, A., Glaw, F., Hofreiter, M. & Vences, M. (2020) Target-enriched DNA sequencing from historical type material enables a partial revision of the Madagascar giant stream frogs (genus Mantidactylus). Journal of Natural History, 54(1-4):87–118. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1748243 [Request PDF]
54. Scherz, M.D. (2020) Diamond frogs forever: a new species of Rhombophryne Boettger, 1880 (Microhylidae, Cophylinae) from Montagne d’Ambre National Park, northern Madagascar. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 96(2):313–323. DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.51372 [pdf]
53. Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D., Köhler, J., Ratsoavina, F.M., Hawlitschek, O., Megson, S., Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2020) Frogs of the genus Platypelis from the Sorata massif in northern Madagascar: description of a new species and reports of range extensions. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 96(1):263–274. DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.47088 [pdf]
52. Glaw, F., Scherz, M.D., Rakotoarison, A., Crottini, A., Raselimanana, A.P., Andreone, F., Köhler, J. & Vences, M. (2020) Genetic variability and partial integrative revision of Platypelis frogs (Microhylidae) with red flash marks from eastern Madagascar. Vertebrate Zoology, 70(2):141–156. DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-2-2020-04 [pdf]
51. Prötzel, D., Scherz, M.D., Ratsoavina, F.M., Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2020) Untangling the trees: Revision of the Calumma nasutum complex (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae). Vertebrate Zoology, 70(1):23–59. DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-1-2020-3 [pdf]
50. Rasolonjatovo, S.M., Scherz, M.D., Hutter, C.R., Glaw, F., Rakotoarison, A., Razafindraibe, J.H., Goodman, S.M., Raselimanana, A.P. & Vences, M. (2020) Sympatric lineages in the Mantidactylus ambreensis complex of Malagasy frogs originated allopatrically rather than by in-situ speciation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 144:106700. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106700 [Request PDF]
2019
49. Ratsoavina, F.M., Scherz, M.D., Tolley, K.A., Raselimanana, A.P., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2019) A new species of Uroplatus (Gekkonidae) from Ankarana National Park, Madagascar, of remarkably high genetic divergence. Zootaxa, 4683(1):84–96. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4683.1.4 [Request PDF]
48. Mohan, A.V., Gehring, P.-S., Scherz, M.D., Glaw, F., Ratsoavina, F.M. & Vences, M. (2019) Comparative phylogeography and patterns of deep genetic differentiation of two gecko species, Paroedura gracilis and Phelsuma guttata, across north-eastern Madagascar. Salamandra, 55(3):211–220. [pdf]
47. Scherz, M.D., Glaw, F., Hutter, C.R., Bletz, M.C., Rakotoarison, A., Köhler, J. & Vences, M. (2019) Species complexes and the importance of Data Deficient classification in Red List assessments: the case of Hylobatrachus frogs. PLoS One, 14(8):e0219437. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219437 [pdf]
46. Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D., Bletz, M.C., Razafindraibe, J.H., Glaw, F., Vences, M. (2019) Description of the lucky Cophyla (Microhylidae, Cophylinae), a new arboreal frog from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar. Zootaxa, 4651(2):271–288. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4651.2.4 [Request PDF]
45. Scherz, M.D., Köhler, J., Vences, M., Glaw, F. (2019) A new yellow-toed Platypelis species (Anura, Microhylidae, Cophylinae) from the Maroantsetra region, northeastern Madagascar. Evolutionary Systematics, 3(1):75–83. DOI:10.3897/evolsyst.3.33417 [pdf]
44. Rakotoarison, A.*, Scherz, M.D.*, Bletz, M.C., Razafindraibe, J.H., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2019) Diversity, elevational variation, and phylogenetic origin of stump-toed frogs (Microhylidae: Cophylinae: Stumpffia) on the Marojejy massif, northern Madagascar. Salamandra, 55(2):115–123. [pdf]
43. Köhler, J., Vences, M., Scherz, M.D. & Glaw, F. (2019) A new species of nocturnal gecko, genus Paroedura, from the karstic Tsingy de Bemaraha formation in western Madagascar. Salamandra, 55(2):73–81. [pdf]
42. Scherz, M.D., Hutter, C.R., Rakotoarison, A., Riemann, J.C., Rödel, M.-O., Ndriantsoa, S.H., Glos, J., Hyde Roberts, S., Crottini, A., Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2019) Morphological and ecological convergence at the lower size limit for vertebrates highlighted by five new miniaturised microhylid frog species from three different Madagascan genera. PLoS One, 14:e0213314. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213314 [pdf]
41. Scherz, M.D., Köhler, J., Rakotoarison, A., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2019) A new dwarf chameleon, genus Brookesia, from the Marojejy massif in northern Madagascar. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 95:95–106. DOI: 10.3897/zse.95.32818 [pdf]
40. Chretien, J., Wang-Claypool, C.Y., Glaw, F. & Scherz, M.D. (2019) The bizarre skull of Xenotyphlops sheds light on synapomorphies of Typhlopoidea. Journal of Anatomy, 234(5):637–655. DOI: 10.1111/joa.12952 [Request PDF]
39. Ratsoavina, F.M., Raselimanana, A.P., Scherz, M.D., Rakotoarison, A., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2019) Finaritra! A new leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) species from Marojejy National Park in north-eastern Madagascar. Zootaxa, 4545:563–577. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4545.4.7 [Request PDF]
2018
38. Hutter, C.R., Andriampenomanana, Z.F., Razafindraibe, J., Rakotoarison, A. & Scherz, M.D. (2018) New dietary data from Compsophis and Alluaudina species (Squamata: Lamprophiidae: Pseudoxyrhophiinae), and implications for their dietary complexity and evolution. Journal of Natural History, 52:2497–2510. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2018.1543732 [Request PDF]
37. Scherz, M.D., Glaw, F., Rakotoarison, A., Wagler, M. & Vences, M. (2018) Polymorphism and synonymy of Brookesia antakarana and B. ambreensis, leaf chameleons from Montagne d’Ambre in north Madagascar. Salamandra, 54:259–268. [pdf]
36. Prötzel, D., Lambert, S.M., Andrianasolo, G.T., Hutter, C.R., Cobb, K.A., Scherz, M.D. & Glaw, F. (2018) The smallest ‘true chameleon’ from Madagascar: a new, distinctly colored species of the Calumma boettgeri complex (Squamata, Chamaeleonidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution, 94:409–423. DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.27305 [pdf]
35. Sentís, M.*, Chang, Y.*, Scherz, M.D., Prötzel, D. & Glaw, F. (2018) Rising from the ashes: resurrection of the Malagasy chameleons Furcifer monoceras and Furcifer voeltzkowi (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae), based on micro-CT analyses and external morphology. Zootaxa, 4483(3):549–566. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4483.3.7. [Request PDF]
34. Rasolonjatovo, S.M., Scherz, M.D., Raselimanana, A.P. & Vences, M. (2018) Tadpole predation by Mantidactylus bellyi Mocquard, 1895 with brief description of the site and morphological measurements of the specimen. Herpetology Notes, 11:747–750. [pdf]
33. Glaw, F., Scherz, M.D., Prötzel, D. & Vences, M. (2018) Eye and webbing colouration as predictors of specific distinctness: a genetically isolated new treefrog species of the Boophis albilabris group from the Masoala peninsula, northeastern Madagascar. Salamandra, 54:163–177. [pdf]
32. Hawlitschek, O., Scherz, M.D., Ruthensteiner, B., Crottini, A. & Glaw, F. (2018) Computational molecular species delimitation and taxonomic revision of the gecko genus Ebenavia Boettger, 1878. The Science of Nature, 105:49. DOI: 10.1007/s00114-018-1574-9 [pdf] [blog post]
31. Lehtinen, R.M., Glaw, F., Vences, M., Rakotoarison, A. & Scherz, M.D. (2018) Two new Pandanus frogs (Guibemantis: Mantellidae: Anura) from northern Madagascar. European Journal of Taxonomy, 451:1–20. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.451 [pdf] [blog post]
30. Scherz, M.D., Rakotoarison, A., Ratsoavina, F.M., Hawlitschek, O., Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2018) Two new Madagascan frog species of the Gephyromantis (Duboimantis) tandroka complex from northern Madagascar. Alytes, 36:130–158. [pdf]
29. Gehring, P.-S., Siarabi, S., Scherz, M.D., Ratsoavina, F.M., Rakotoarison, A., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2018) Genetic differentiation and species status of the large-bodied leaf-tailed geckos Uroplatus fimbriatus and U. giganteus. Salamandra, 54:132–146. [pdf]
28. Bletz, M.C., Scherz, M.D., Rakotoarison, A., Lehtinen, R., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2018) Stumbling upon a new frog species of Guibemantis (Anura: Mantellidae) on top of the Marojejy Massif in northern Madagascar. Copeia, 106(2):255–263. DOI: 10.1643/CH-17-655 [Request PDF]
27. Prötzel, D., Vences, M., Hawlitschek, O., Scherz, M.D., Ratsoavina, F.M. & Glaw, F. (2018) Endangered beauties: three new species of chameleons in the Calumma boettgeri complex (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 184(2):471–498. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx112 [Request PDF]
26. Scherz, M.D., Hawlitschek, O., Razafindraibe, J.H., Megson, S., Ratsoavina, F.M., Rakotoarison, A., Bletz, M.C., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2018) A distinctive new frog species (Anura, Mantellidae) supports the biogeographic linkage of the montane rainforest massifs of northern Madagascar. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 94(2):247–261. DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.21037 [pdf]
25. Augros, S., Scherz, M.D., Wang-Claypool, C.Y., Montfort, L., Glaw, F. & Hawlitschek, O. (2018) Comparative perch heights and habitat plant usage of day geckos (Phelsuma) in the Comoros Archipelago (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Salamandra, 54(1):71–74. [pdf]
24. Bellati, A.*, Scherz, M.D.*, Megson, S., Hyde Roberts, S., Andreone, F., Rosa, G.M., Noël, J., Randrianirina, J.E., Fasola, M., Glaw, F. & Crottini, A. (2018) Resurrection and re-description of Plethodontohyla laevis (Boettger, 1913) and transfer of Rhombophryne alluaudi (Mocquard, 1901) to the genus Plethodontohyla (Microhylidae: Cophylinae). Zoosystematics and Evolution, 94(1):109–135. DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.14698 [pdf]
23. Prötzel, D., Heß, M., Scherz, M.D., Schwager, M., van’t Padje, A. & Glaw, F. (2018) Widespread bone-based fluorescence in chameleons. Scientific Reports, 8:698. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-19070-7 [pdf] [blog post]
2017
22. Scherz, M.D., Vences, M., Borrell, J., Ball, L., Nomenjanahary, D.H., Parker, D., Rakotondratsima, M., Razafimandimby, E., Starnes, T., Rabearivony, J. & Glaw, F. (2017) A new frog species of the subgenus Asperomantis (Anura, Mantellidae, Gephyromantis) from the Bealanana District of northern Madagascar. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 93(2):451–466. DOI: 10.3897/zse.93.14906 [pdf]
21. Scherz, M.D., Razafindraibe, J.H., Rakotoarison, A., Dixit, N.M., Bletz, M.C., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2017) Yet another small brown frog from high altitude on the Marojejy Massif, northeastern Madagascar (Anura: Mantellidae). Zootaxa, 4347(3):572–582. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4347.3.9 [Request PDF]
20. Ratsoavina, F.M., Gehring, P.-S., Scherz, M.D., Vieites, D.R., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2017) Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar. Zootaxa, 4347(3):446–464. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4347.3.2 [Request PDF]
19. Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D., Glaw, F., Köhler, J., Andreone, F., Franzen, M., Glos, J., Hawlitschek, O., Jono, T., Mori, A., Ndriantsoa, S.H., Raminosoa Rasoamampionona, N., Riemann, J.C., Rödel, M.-O., Rosa, G.M., Vieites, D.R., Crottini, A. & Vences, M. (2017) Describing the smaller majority: Integrative taxonomy reveals twenty-six new species of tiny microhylid frogs (genus Stumpffia) from Madagascar. Vertebrate Zoology, 67(3):271–398. [highres pdf (72 MB)|lowres pdf (15 MB)]
18. Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2017) Rediscovery of frogs belonging to the enigmatic microhylid genus Madecassophryne in the Anosy Massif, south-eastern Madagascar. Salamandra, 53:507–518. [pdf] [blog post]
17. Prötzel, D., Vences, M., Scherz, M.D., Vieites, D.R. & Glaw, F. (2017) Splitting and lumping: An integrative taxonomic assessment of Malagasy chameleons in the Calumma guibei complex results in the new species C. gehringi sp. nov. Vertebrate Zoology, 67:231–249. [pdf] [blog post]
16. Scherz, M.D., Vences, M., Rakotoarison, A., Andreone, F., Köhler, J., Glaw, F. & Crottini, A. (2017) Lumping or splitting in the Cophylinae (Anura: Microhylidae) and the need for a parsimony of taxonomic changes: a response to Peloso et al. (2017). Salamandra, 53:479–483. [pdf]
15. Scherz, M.D., Hawlitschek, O., Andreone, F., Rakotoarison, A., Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2017) A review of the taxonomy and osteology of the Rhombophryne serratopalpebrosa species group (Anura: Microhylidae) from Madagascar, with comments on the value of volume rendering of micro-CT data to taxonomists. Zootaxa, 4273(3):301–340. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4273.3.1 [Request PDF]
14. Lambert, S.M., Hutter, C.R. & Scherz, M.D. (2017) Diamond in the rough: a new species of fossorial diamond frog (Rhombophryne) from Ranomafana National Park, southeastern Madagascar. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 93:143–155. DOI: 10.3897/zse.93.10188 [pdf] [blog post]
13. Scherz, M.D., Daza, J.D., Köhler, J., Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2017) Off the scale: a new species of fish-scale gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Geckolepis) with exceptionally large scales. PeerJ, 5:e2955. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2955 [pdf] [blog post detailing media coverage]
2016
12. Hawlitschek, O., Wang-Claypool, C.Y., Scherz, M.D., Montfort, L., Soumille, O. & Glaw, F. (2016) New size record of the snake genus Liophidium by the island endemic L. mayottensis. Spixiana, 39(2):287–288. [pdf]
11. Lattenkamp, E.Z., Mandák, M. & Scherz, M.D. (2016) The advertisement call of Stumpffia be Köhler, Vences, D’Cruze & Glaw, 2010 (Anura: Microhylidae: Cophylinae). Zootaxa, 4205(5):483–485. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4205.5.7 [Request PDF]
10. Ceriaco LMP, Gutierrez EE, Dubois A, +493 signatories (2016). Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences. Zootaxa, 4196(3):435–445. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4196.3.9
9. Scherz, M.D., Glaw, F., Vences, M., Andreone, F. & Crottini, A. (2016) Two new species of terrestrial microhylid frogs (Microhylidae: Cophylinae: Rhombophryne) from northeastern Madagascar. Salamandra, 52(2):91–106. [pdf]
8. Scherz, M.D., Vences, M., Rakotoarison, A., Andreone, F., Köhler, J., Glaw, F. & Crottini, A. (2016) Reconciling molecular phylogeny, morphological divergence and classification of Madagascan narrow-mouthed frogs (Amphibia: Microhylidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 100(2016):372-381. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.04.019 [pdf]
7. Hawlitschek, O., Scherz, M.D., Straube, N. & Glaw, F. (2016) Resurrection of the Comoran fish scale gecko Geckolepis humbloti Vaillant, 1887 reveals a disjunct distribution caused by natural overseas dispersal. Organisms, Diversity & Evolution, 16:289–298. DOI: 10.1007/s13127-015-0255-1 [pdf]
2015
6. Prötzel, D., Ruthensteiner, B., Scherz, M.D. & Glaw, F. (2015) Systematic revision of the Malagasy chameleons Calumma boettgeri and C. linotum (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae). Zootaxa, 4048:211–231. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4048.2.4 [Request PDF]
5. Scherz, M.D., Ruthensteiner, B., Vieites, D.R., Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2015) Two new microhylid frogs of the genus Rhombophryne with superciliary spines from the Tsaratanana Massif in northern Madagascar. Herpetologica, 71(4):310–321. DOI: 10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-14-00048 [pdf]
4. Eudeline, R., Wang, C. & Scherz, M.D. (2015). Predation attempt of Rhombophryne laevipes by Compsophis albiventris. Herpetology Notes, 8:393–394. [pdf]
3. Scherz, M.D., Rakotoarison, A., Hawlitschek, O., Vences, M., Glaw, F. (2015) Leaping towards a saltatorial lifestyle? An unusually long-legged new species of Rhombophryne (Anura, Microhylidae) from the Sorata massif in northern Madagascar. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 91(2):105-114. DOI: 10.3897/zse.91.4979 [pdf]
2014
2. Martins, A.C., Scherz, M.D. & Renner, S.S. (2014) Several origins of floral oil in the Angelonieae, a Southern Hemisphere disjunct clade of Plantaginaceae. American Journal of Botany, 101:2113-2120. DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1400470 [pdf]
1. Scherz, M.D., Ruthensteiner, B., Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2014) A new microhylid frog, genus Rhombophryne, from northeastern Madagascar, and a re-description of R. serratopalpebrosa using micro-computed tomography. Zootaxa, 3860:547–560. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3860.6.3 [Request PDF]
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Asterisks (*) indicate shared first authorships
Preprints
3. Kosch, T.A., Torres-Sanchez, M., Liedtke, H.C., Summers, K., Yun, M.H., Crawford, A.J., Maddock, S.T., Ahammed, M.S., Araujo, V.L.N., Vincenzo Bertola, L., Bucciarelli, G., Carne, A., Carneiro, C.M., Chan, K.O., Chen, Y., Crottini, A., da Silva, J.M., Denton, R.D., Dittrich, C., Espregueira Themudo, G., Farquharson, K.A., Forsdick, N.J., Gilbert, E., Che, J., Katzenback, B.A., Kotharambath, R., Levis, N.A., Marquez, R., Mazepa, G., Mulder, K.P., Muller, H., Connell, M.J., Orozco-terWengel, P., Palomar, G., Petzold, A., Pfennig, D.W., Pfennig, K.S., Reichert, M.S., Robert, J., Scherz, M.D., Siu-Ting, K., Snead, A.A., Stock, M., Stuckert, A.M.M., Stynoski, J.L., Tarvin, R.D. & Wollenberg Valero, K.C. (2024) The Amphibian Genomics Consortium: advancing genomic and genetic resources for amphibian research and conservation. bioRxiv 2024.06.27.601086. DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.27.601086
2. Vences, M., Miralles, A., Brouillet, S., Ducasse, J., Fedosov, A., Kharchev, V., Kostadinov, I., Kumari, S., Patmanidis, S., Scherz, M.D., Puillandre, N. & Renner, S.S. (2021) iTaxoTools 0.1: Kickstarting a specimen-based software toolkit for taxonomists. bioRxiv. DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.26.435825
1. Jackson, M.D., Scherz, M.D. & Zona, S. (2017) Taxonomy is not beholden to its dependencies: a rebuttal to Garnett and Christidis (2017). PeerJ PrePrints: DOI: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.3060v1
Books
2. Book: Andreone, F., Crottini, A., Rosa, G.M., Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D. & Raselimanana, A.P. (2018) Les Amphibiens du Nord de Madagascar. Association Vahatra, Antananarivo, Madagascar, 355 pp.
1. Book: Scherz, M.D., May, M., Taylor, J., Smith, N.J., Tsiafa, H.A., Danvi, M.T., Rakotomalala, M. & Rabemazaka, J. (2013) Project Kobokara 2011: Final Report. Amazon, Charleston SC, USA, 97 pp. ISBN 978-1482028751 [pdf]
Book Chapters
13. Cadle, J.E., Scherz, M.D., Ruane, S., Burbrink, F.T., Raxworthy, C.J. & Glaw, F. (2022) Pseudoxyrhophiidae and Psammophiidae, Colubroid snakes, Bibilava. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1525–1531.
12. Scherz, M.D., Prötzel, D., Randrianantoandro, C., Rakotomalala, D., Karsten, K.B. & Raxworthy, C.J. (2022) Chamaeleonidae, Chameleons, Tanalahy, Sakorikita, Tarondro. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1506–1516.
11. Raselimanana, A.P., Scherz, M.D., Prötzel, D. & Glaw, F. (2022) Gerrhosauridae, Plated lizards, Bekaratsaka, Antalabosy, Androngo. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1490–1494.
10. Gehring, P.-S., Ratsoavina, F.M., Scherz, M.D., Raselimanana, A.P. & Raxworthy, C.J. (2022) Gekkonidae: Uroplatus, Leaf-tailed geckos, Tahafisaka. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1480–1485.
9. Bauer, A.M., Scherz, M.D., Crottini, A., Ratsoavina, F.M. & Glaw, F. (2022) Gekkonidae, Geckos, Katsatsaka, Tsatsake. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1474–1479.
8. Vences, M., Crottini, A., Scherz, M.D. & Rakotoarison, A. (2022) Microhylidae, Dyscophinae: Dyscophus. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1395–1396.
7. Crottini, A., Rabearivony, J., Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D. & Rosa, G.M. (2022) Microhylidae, Scaphiophryninae: Scaphiophryne and Paradoxophyla. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1391–1395.
6. Scherz, M.D., Crottini, A. & Rakotoarison, A. (2022) Microhylidae: Cophylinae, Microhylid frogs. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1382–1390.
5. Glaw, F., Rakotoarison, A. & Scherz, M.D. (2022) Mantellidae, Tsingymantinae: Tsingymantis. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1381.
4. Lehtinen, R.M., Scherz, M.D. & Vences, M. (2022) Mantellidae, Mantellinae: Guibemantis. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1374–1378.
3. Scherz, M.D., Crottini, A. & Rakotoarison, A. (2022) Mantellidae, Mantellinae: Gephyromantis. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1371–1374.
2. Scherz, M.D., Vences, M., Rabibisoa, N. & Andreone, F. (2022) Mantellidae, Mantellinae: Mantidactylus and Boehmantis. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1365–1368.
1. Glaw, F., Crottini, A., Rakotoarison, A., Scherz, M.D. & Vences, M. (2022) Diversity and exploration of the Malagasy amphibian fauna. In: Goodman, S.M. (Ed.) The New Natural History of Madagascar. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ USA. Volume 2, pp. 1305–1322.
Popular Science Articles
6. The Conversation (2021-03-28): What Madagascar’s amazing mini creatures tell us about evolution
5. The Conversation (2020-04-21): Curious Kids: can chameleons change colour when they sleep?
4. The Conversation (2019-09-17): Why the global Red List mislabels the risk to many species
3. The Conversation (2019-03-28): Meet the mini frogs of Madagascar – the new species we’ve discovered
2. OUPblog (2018-06-10): Three new chameleon species from Madagascar
1. Scherz, M.D. (2017) Eine Forschungsreise in den Marojejy-Nationalpark auf Madagaskar. elaphe/Terraria, 2017/5:64–67