Affiliation entity
Systématique, Phylogéographie, Évolution, Conservation (SPEC)

Contact

E-mail
christophe.dufresnes [at] mnhn.fr

Collections

Chargé de collection Amphibien / Curator of Amphibians

Presentation

Associate Professor / Curator of Amphibians at MNHN. 

My research focuses on the evolution and diversity of herpetofauna in relation to biogeography, systematics and conservation. I have particular interest in the evolution of speciation and sex determination during processes of diversification, as well as the impact of humans in mediating species distributions (e.g., biological invasions). Ongoing projects mainly (but not exclusively) involve Eurasian anurans and urodeles, combining fieldwork, molecular analyses and study of curated specimens. 

In parallel, I write naturalist books on herpetofauna for a general audience and I am involved in scientific commissions of the French Herpetological Society (SHF) and the Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH).

 

Publications

2027
  • Dufresnes Christophe, Gippner Sven, Hofmann Sylvia, Strachinis Ilias, Ambu Johanna, Skorinov Dmitriy V., Kidov Artem A., Crochet Pierre-André, Jablonski Daniel & Litvinchuk Spartak N., 2027 — Recurrent hybridization shapes the diversification of Western Palearctic common toads (Bufo bufo complex). Glacial cycles repeatedly fragmented temperate species into refugial populations, fostering divergence as a first stage towards… Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution vol. 226, , p. 108738
    ISSN
    1055-7903
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2026.108738
2026
  • Vences Miguel, Rothe Laila-Denise, Glaw Frank, Scherz Mark D., Gehring Philip-Sebastian, Hawlitschek Oliver, Kuhn Arianna, Multzsch Malte, Petzold Alice, Preick Michaela, Rakotoarimalala Fandresena, Raselimanana Achille P., Ratsoavina Fanomezana M., Ruane Sara, Vieites David R. et al., July 2026 — Genome-scale molecular systematics of Madagascar’s occipital-lobed chameleons reveals polyphyly and mito-nuclear discordances. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution , , p. 108689
    ISSN
    10557903
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2026.108689
  • Dufresnes Christophe, Gippner Sven, Hofmann Sylvia, Litvinchuk Spartak, Žagar Anamarija, Jablonski Daniel, Pottier Gilles, Megía-Palma Rodrigo, Sánchez-Montes Gregorio, Jiménez Robles Octavio, Ayllón Enrique, Crochet Pierre-André & Martínez-Solano Ĺñigo, March 2026 — Slippery slopes: Montane isolation and elevational shifts shape the evolution and diversity of Iberolacerta lizards. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution vol. 216, , p. 108502 tex.hal_id: hal-05447965 tex.hal_version: v1
    ISSN
    10557903
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108502
  • Gippner Sven, Hernandez Axel, Ambu Johanna, Dubut Vincent, Trochet Audrey, Crochet Pierre-André, Vences Miguel & Dufresnes Christophe, February 2026 — Quelles salamandres tachetées trouve-t-on dans le sud-ouest de la France ?. Bulletin de la Société Herpétologique de France vol. 188, , p. 1-15 tex.hal_id: hal-05493077 tex.hal_version: v1
    https://dx.doi.org/10.48716/bullshf.188-4
  • Hofmann Sylvia, Rödder Dennis, Schmidt Joachim, Flecks Morris, Jablonski Daniel, Dubois Alain, Ohler Annemarie, Baniya Chitra, Vershinin Vladimir, Litvinchuk Spartak & Dufresnes Christophe, February 2026 — Diversification and historical biogeography of the Himalayan toad (Duttaphrynus himalayanus). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology vol. 683, , p. 113473 tex.hal_id: hal-05447995 tex.hal_version: v1
    ISSN
    00310182
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2025.113473
  • Dufresnes Christophe, Monod-Broca Benjamin, Jelić Dušan, Šunje Emina, Manenti Raoul, Barzaghi Benedetta, Zimić Adnan, Chouchane Karim, Denoël Mathieu, Ohler Annemarie & Jablonski Daniel, 2026 — Olm sweet olm: unearthing nine species of Proteus hidden beneath the Dinaric Karst. Amphibia-Reptilia , , p. 1-51
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685381-bja10266
  • Gippner Sven, Ruthsatz Katharina, Dufresnes Christophe & Vences Miguel, 2026 — Inferring TimetoSpeciation From Hybrid Zone Analysis Informs Assessments of Taxonomic Inflation. ABSTRACT Measuring gene flow across hybrid zones can provide a direct evaluation of reproductive isolation (RI) between… Molecular Ecology vol. 35, n° 9, e70361
    ISSN
    0962-1083, 1365-294X
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.70361
  • Higaki Yuya, Shams Foyez, Yarita Meg, Ogata Mitsuaki, Fujitani Takeshi, Borzée Amaël, Jang Yikweon, Dufresnes Christophe, Konishi Sukenobu, Shimizu Norio, Ezaz Tariq & Miura Ikuo, 2026 — Dual northward overseas radiation from Japanese islands shaped the phylogeography of North-East Asian tree frog. Scientific Reports vol. 16, n° 1, p. 28599
    ISSN
    2045-2322
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-69101-5
  • Koster Stephanie, Theodoropoulos Anagnostis, Beukema Wouter, Ambu Johanna, Babik Wiesław, Canestrelli Daniele, Chiocchio Andrea, Cogălniceanu Dan, Cvijanović Milena, de Visser Manon C., Dufresnes Christophe, France James, Hyseni Alban, Jablonski Daniel, Kranželić Daria et al., 2026 — Five Hidden Species in a Widespread European Vertebrate: Disentangling the Alpine Newt Cryptic Species Complex Through Genomic Phylogeography.. Through genomic phylogeography, previously unrecognised biodiversity can be revealed. The alpine newt serves as a case in point… Molecular ecology vol. 35, n° 5, e70300
    ISSN
    1365-294X 0962-1083
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.70300
2025
  • Ambu Johanna, Martínez-Solano Iñigo, Hernandez Axel & Dufresnes Christophe, October 2025 — Escaping a nomenclatural limbo caused by hybridization (and the challenges to measure it) in midwife toads (Alytidae: Alytes Wagler, 1829). Abstract Advances in molecular techniques have improved our ability to quantify genetic introgression, but they also blur… Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society vol. 205, n° 2, zlaf120 Citation Key: ambu:hal-05447982 tex.hal_id: hal-05447982 tex.hal_version: v1
    ISSN
    0024-4082, 1096-3642
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf120
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