Topics and Trends in Most Cited Amphibian and Reptile Biology Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Amphibian and Reptile Biology research in the Class of 2026?

Amphibian and reptile biology in the Class of 2026 is anchored by conservation planning, IUCN Red List assessments, and mitochondrial DNA studies. Research shifted significantly toward fungal pathogen dynamics, particularly Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and invasive species threats, while traditional species distribution modelling experienced a sharp decline compared to the previous cohort.

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Updated July 22, 2026

At a glance

Field
Amphibian and Reptile Biology
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
3,901
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Conservation planning, mitochondrial DNA, IUCN Red List, fungal pathogens, divergence time estimation
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
14–57
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 3,901
5718m citations

The macroevolutionary singularity of snakes

Pascal O Title, Sonal Singhal, Daniel L Rabosky et al.Science202410.1126/science.adh2449

Pascal O. Title, Sonal Singhal, Daniel L. RaboskyStony Brook University, United States

Squamatasnake macroevolutionDivergence time estimationgenomic data 5400 lociindividual-based natural history observationsspeciation dynamicsphenotypic evolutiontrophic structurespecialized predatory strategieshistorical contingencyvertebrate biodiversitylocomotion innovationsfeeding innovationssensory processing innovationsmacroevolutionary singularity
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#3 of 3,901
2818m citations

Hotspot shelters stimulate frog resistance to chytridiomycosis

Anthony W Waddle et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07582-y

Anthony W. WaddleUniversity of Melbourne, Australia

hotspot sheltersfrog resistancechytridiomycosisBatrachochytrium dendrobatidisThermal refugiabehavioral feveramphibian disease ecologyImmune response enhancementpathogen clearancemicroclimate selectiondisease tolerancetemperature-dependent immunityfungal infection dynamicsConservation planning
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#4 of 3,901
2618m citations

A phylogeny-informed characterisation of global tetrapod traits addresses data gaps and biases

Mario R Moura et al.PLoS Biology202410.1371/journal.pbio.3002658

Mario R. Moura, Karoline Ceron, Jhonny J. M. Guedes, Rosana Chen-Zhao, Yanina V. Sica, Julie A. Hart, Wendy A. Dorman, Julia M. Portmann, Pamela González‐del‐Pliego, Ajay Ranipeta, Alessandro Catenazzi, Fernanda P. Werneck, Luı́s Felipe Toledo, Nathan S. Upham, João F. R. Tonini, Timothy J. Colston, Robert Guralnick, Rauri C. K. Bowie, R. Alexander Pyron, Walter JetzUniversidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil

TetrapodsTetrapodTraits 1.0.0phylogeny-based multiple imputationtaxonomic harmonisationbody sizeactivity timemicrohabitatmacrohabitatthreat statusbiogeographyinsularitynonrandom missingnessmacroecological patternsData gapstaxonomic nomenclature fluxfully sampled phylogeniesattribute predictiondata standardisation33,281 tetrapod species
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#6 of 3,901
2218m citations

Hidden hotspots of amphibian biodiversity in China

Wei Xu, Yun-He Wu et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2320674121

Wei Xu, Yun‐He Wu, Weihua Xu, John J. Wiens, Jing CheKunming Institute of Zoology, China

Biodiversity hotspotsEndemismSpecies richnesscryptic speciesphylogenetic diversityDivergence time estimationChinese amphibiansNanling MountainsSouth China mountain rangesmolecular analysesfield surveysProtected Areashuman impact pressurespatial diversity patternsSpecies-level data
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#7 of 3,901
2218m citations

Phylogenomic insights into the diversity and evolution of Palearctic vipers

Christophe Dufresnes et al.Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution202410.1016/j.ympev.2024.108095

Christophe DufresnesMuséum national d'Histoire naturelle, France

Palearctic vipersViperaddRAD-seqPhylogenomicsMitochondrial DNAV. walserV. berusV. kaznakoviHybridizationmitogenomeSNP clusteringV. aspis zinnikeriV. seoaneiV. ponticaV. ammodytes meridionalisV. berus complexV. baraniadmixturemitonuclear discordancephylogeography
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#8 of 3,901
2018m citations

Piecing the barcoding puzzle of Palearctic water frogs (<i>Pelophylax</i>) sheds light on amphibian biogeography and global invasions

Christophe Dufresnes et al.Global Change Biology202410.1111/gcb.17180

Christophe DufresnesNanjing Forestry University, China

PelophylaxPalearctic water frogsDNA barcodingMitochondrial DNAnuclear phylogenyphylogeographic lineagescyto-nuclear discordancehybridogenesisPelophylax ridibundusPelophylax lessonaebiological invasionsParatethysanuran speciation continuumDivergence time estimationtimetreealien lineagesfrog leg industryWestern Europe invasions
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#9 of 3,901
1918m citations

The genetic regulatory architecture and epigenomic basis for age-related changes in rattlesnake venom

Michael P Hogan et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2313440121

Darin R. RokytaFlorida State University, United States

Crotalus adamanteusVenom variationchromosome-level genome assemblychromatin accessibilityhistone modificationscis-regulatory elementstrans-regulatory factorsVenom gene expressionepigenomic changespromotersenhancerscandidate transcription factorsgrowth signalingDiel activity patternsgene regulatory networksontogenetic diet shiftlife-history trait evolution
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#10 of 3,901
1918m citations

A pulse check for trends in sea turtle numbers across the globe

Graeme C Hays et al.iScience202410.1016/j.isci.2024.109071

Graeme C. HaysDeakin University, Australia

sea turtle population trendsGreen turtleLoggerhead turtleLeatherback turtlenest count time seriesAldabra SeychellesSal Cape VerdeTortuguero Costa RicaOman loggerhead populationmarine vertebrate recoveryabundance monitoringnesting populationsPopulation declineupward population trendsIUCN Red List
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#11 of 3,901
1918m citations

Building pondscapes for amphibian metapopulations

Helen Moor et al.Conservation Biology202410.1111/cobi.14281

Helen MoorSwiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Switzerland

pond constructionamphibian metapopulationsdynamic occupancy modelscolonization probabilityPopulation viabilitypopulation connectivitydispersal kernelsource–sink dynamicsnearest neighbor population distancepopulation densitystructural connectivitytemporary pond dryingwater surface areaforest coverpond diversityecological infrastructure restorationsite selectionincidenceSwitzerland pond monitoring
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#12 of 3,901
1818m citations

Climate change-related distributional range shifts of venomous snakes: a predictive modelling study of effects on public health and biodiversity

Pablo Ariel Martinez et al.The Lancet Planetary Health202410.1016/s2542-5196(24)00005-6

Pablo Ariel Martínez, Talita Ferreira AmadoUniversidade Federal de Sergipe, Brazil

Species distribution modellingvenomous snakesWHO categories 1 and 2Climate change projectionsbiodiversity losssnakebite envenomationRange shiftsclimatically suitable areassocioeconomic vulnerabilitysoutheast AsiaAfricacross-border species migrationpublic health riskveterinary healthlow-income countriesrural populationsEcosystem functionsgenetic resources
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#13 of 3,901
1718m citations

Global conservation status of the jawed vertebrate Tree of Life

Rikki Gumbs et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-45119-z

Rikki GumbsZoological Society of London, United Kingdom

jawed vertebratesevolutionary historyphylogenetic diversityEDGE scoreschondrichthyansray-finned fishTurtlesmonotypic familiesExtinction riskTree of LifeConservation planningCrocodiliansamphibianslineage extinctionIUCN Red Listevolutionary distinctivenessThreatened speciesphylogenetic perspective
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#14 of 3,901
1718m citations

Phenological mismatches mitigate the ecological impact of a biological invader on amphibian communities

Teun Everts et al.Ecological Applications202410.1002/eap.3017

Teun EvertsResearch Institute for Nature and Forest, Belgium

phenological mismatchInvasive speciesAmerican bullfrogLithobates catesbeianusenvironmental DNAeDNA quantitative barcodingeDNA metabarcodingamphibian communitiesbreeding phenologyspecies-specific vulnerabilitytemporal synchronycitizen-science dataSpecies richnesscommunity structurelate spring-breeding speciessummer-breeding specieswinter-breeding speciesinvasion impact frameworkhorizon scansmeta-analysis
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#15 of 3,901
1618m citations

Diversity and Evolution of Frog Visual Opsins: Spectral Tuning and Adaptation to Distinct Light Environments

Ryan K Schott et al.Molecular Biology and Evolution202410.1093/molbev/msae049

Ryan K SchottYork University, Canada

visual opsinsspectral tuningspectral sensitivityretinal photoreceptorsvisual pigmentsgene duplication and lossdifferential expressioncoexpressionsequence evolutioneye transcriptomespositive selectionselective pressureshabitat-associated shiftslife history adaptationmicrospectrophotometrySpectral tuning sitesBiphasic life historyphotoreceptor physiologyvertebrate visual evolutionfrog visual system diversity
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#16 of 3,901
1518m citations

Convergent evolution toward a slow pace of life predisposes insular endotherms to anthropogenic extinctions

Ying Xiong et al.Science Advances202410.1126/sciadv.adm8240

Ying Xiong, Roberto Rozzi, Yizhou Zhang, Fumin LeiSichuan Agricultural University, China

island syndromemetabolic rate evolutionpace of lifegeneration lengthinsularityendothermsEctothermsTetrapodsAdaptive evolutionEndemismanthropogenic extinctionsExtinction risklife history evolutionmetabolic scalingisland mammalsisland birdsphysiological adaptationmainland-island comparison
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#17 of 3,901
1418m citations

Unnecessary splitting of genus-level clades reduces taxonomic stability in amphibians

Stephen Mahony et al.Vertebrate Zoology202410.3897/vz.74.e114285

Stephen MahonyThe Natural History Museum, United Kingdom

genus-level taxonomytaxonomic splittingsupraspecific boundariesphylogenetic supportMonophyletic cladeDicroglossidaeOccidozygaMicrohylidaeNanohylaMicrohylaRanidaeHylaranaRhacophoridaeRhacophorussubgenus ranktaxonomic stabilitydiagnostic charactersbinomial nomenclatureamphibian systematics
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#19 of 3,901
1418m citations

An integrative taxonomic revision of the Trimeresurus popeiorum group of pitvipers (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae) with descriptions of two new species from the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot

Sabira S. Idiiatullina et al.Vertebrate Zoology202410.3897/vz.74.e113347

Sabira S. IdiiatullinaLomonosov Moscow State University, Russia

Trimeresurus popeiorum groupPopeiaintegrative taxonomyMitochondrial DNA12S rRNA16S rRNAcytochrome bNADH dehydrogenase subunit 4cryptic speciesIndo-Burma Biodiversity HotspotTrimeresurus yingjiangensisTrimesurus elegansnomen oblitumnomen protectumArticle 23.9 ICZNT. sabahi complextype material examinationCryptic diversitypitviper taxonomySoutheast Asian Trimeresurus
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#20 of 3,901
1418m citations

Amphibians Exhibit Extremely High Hydric Costs of Respiration

Eric A Riddell et al.Integrative and Comparative Biology202410.1093/icb/icae053

Eric A. RiddellUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States

transpiration ratiocutaneous respirationhydric costs of respirationwater loss rategas exchangedesiccation vulnerabilitypermeable skinrespiratory water lossbody mass scalingtemperature effects on transpirationhumidity effectscomparative physiologymetabolic rateterrestrial adaptationaquatic microhabitat selection
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Amphibian and Reptile Biology

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 in amphibian and reptile biology reflects a field heavily concentrated on biodiversity preservation, molecular phylogenetics, and physiological adaptability. Conservation planning remains the single most prominent thematic anchor, featuring in 14% of highly cited publications, closely paired with formal IUCN Red List risk assessments (10%) and protected area design (6%). Molecular approaches continue to underpin herpetological taxonomy and evolutionary studies, with mitochondrial DNA markers appearing in 10% of top papers alongside nuclear DNA markers and divergence time estimation (8%). A major driver of recent high-impact literature is the ecology and mitigation of infectious diseases. The chytrid fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and associated chytridiomycosis account for 8% of top studies, highlighting ongoing global efforts to monitor amphibian declines and bolster host immune responses. Meanwhile, organismal biology and eco-physiology retain significant attention, focused on thermoregulation (8%), thermal sensitivity, and diel activity patterns in response to environmental microclimates. Together, these clusters underscore an integrative research paradigm where molecular tools, disease monitoring, and physiological assessments directly inform habitat conservation and extinction risk management across global reptile and amphibian populations.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparing the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 cohorts reveals clear shifts in herpetological research priorities. The most dramatic rise occurs in disease ecology and biological invasions. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) surged from unranked status in 2023 to 8% of top papers in 2024, accompanied by increased attention to host-microbiome interactions and invasive species like the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). Similarly, mitochondrial DNA markers expanded 2.5-fold (from 4% to 10%), reflecting a resurgence in barcode-assisted species discovery and cryptic diversity mapping across vulnerable ecosystems. Conversely, standalone species distribution modelling suffered the sharpest contraction, dropping from 12% of top-cited publications in the 2025 cohort to just 4% in 2026. This decline suggests a transition away from macroecological habitat mapping toward mechanistic disease modeling, integrative taxonomy, and empirical thermal physiology. Broad phylogenomic surveys and climate change projections also experienced modest pullbacks as researchers shifted focus toward actionable conservation planning, protected area connectivity, and targeted threat intensity evaluations.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Amphibian and Reptile Biology Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/amphibian-and-reptile-biology/2026. Accessed 2026-07-22.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459