Section

Introductions of non-native species have become a global ecological and conservation challenge. Movement of organisms into new ecosystems can result in dramatic disturbances. Thus, it is of uttermost importance to understand the consequences of human mediated biological invasions. The data is vital to inform management measures and allow setting of priorities. Our focus are chelonians: pond slider terrapins of the genus Trachemys as well as other genera including Pseudemys, Graptemys, Crysemys, Pelodiscus, Mauremys, and others.

In collaboration with Dr. Johannes Penner (University Freiburg & Frogs and Friends), Benno Tietz (FrInaT – Freiburger Institut für angewandte Tierökologie GmbH), Hubert Laufert (Büro für Landschaftsökologie LAUFER), Johannes Meka (Senckenberg LOEWE TBG), Frederic Griesbaum (Museum für Naturkunde Berlin), Hedi Schloddarick (Tehnische Universität Berlin),  Kim Leban (University Ljubljana), Charlotte Ducotterd (Info Fauna Karch; Turtle Sanctuary and Conservation Center), Dr. Tibisay Escalona (Ciimar, Evolutionary Genomics and Bioinformatics), Dr. Sylvain Ursenbacher (University of Basel, Department of Environmental Science, Section of Conservation Biology), Prof. Dr. Dinçer Ayaz (Ege University), Yusuf Bayrakci (Ege University) and many more we are trying to understand the consequences of introducing non-native terrapins.

Our new Synthesis and Solutions Lab project AquaSchild translates scientific findings into transparent, data-driven decisions on how to manage non-native aquatic turtles. The project combines research, dialogue and practical application. The aim is to strengthen nature conservation and species protection, promote responsible pet ownership, and enable a nuanced approach to managing non-native species. 

Join the “Turtles of Germany” project on iNaturalist and help advance research on terrapins in Germany

Funding: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde e. V. (DGHT), Wissenschaftsgesellschaft Freiburg, TÜBİTAK

Film by Nina Kunze, SWR Kultur: Invasive Schildkröten im Südwesten – Artenvielfalt bedroht? 

Using conservation genomic assessments we aim to deliver an essential framework to improve the future conservation management and preservation of genetic diversity within turtle and tortoise species. An integrative approach combining genetics, ecology and field work practices is used in two current projects in South Africa, in one project in Rwanda, in the Republic of Congo and in Sri Lanka.

South Africa : Leopard Tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis

This project represents the foundation for further management decisions and conservation actions for the leopard tortoises in southern Africa, since it delivers the genetic background needed to develop appropriate guidelines for conservation release and relocation (Spitzweg et al. 2019, Vamberger & Hofmeyr 2021, Dajčman et al. 2021, Vamberger et al. 2022, Armstrong et al. in review).

Cooperation partners: Sonia Kropff  (South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and National Zoological Garden, Pretoria), Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), Adrian Armstrong (Scientific Services, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife), Wade Whitehead and Elishia Goosen (FreeMe Wildlife), Prof. Dr. Flora Ihlow (Institute of Environmental Planning, Leibniz University Hannover)

Funding: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde e. V., British Chelonia Group, Mapula trust

Links: https://www.dght.de/startseite/natur-und-artenschutz/hans-schiemenz-fonds/gefoerderte-hans-schiemenz-fonds-projekte/

The aim of this project is to clarify the diversity, evolutionary relationships and distribution of South Africa’s little-studied but threatened freshwater turtles and tortoises by combining population genetic techniques with morphological and ecological approaches. This project has been carried out for several years in close collaboration with Prof. Dr. Flora Ihlow.

Funding: Mapula trust

Life at the extremes: How freshwater terrapins cope with desert environments?

Anthropogenic climate change is reshaping terrestrial ecosystems through rising temperatures and altered rainfall. Semi-aquatic freshwater turtles can survive in dry savannas by hiding underground during many years of drought and waiting for the next rain. How can they do this? What is the genomic backbone of adaptation to this extreme habitat?

In collaboration with Prof. Dr. Ann-Marie Waldvogel, Professor of Global Change Limnology at Technical University Munich, we are running a genome assembly project to generate the genomic resource for deeper research on the mechanism of drought adaptation.

Funded by LOEWE Center of Translational Biodiversity Genomics

Schloddarick, H., Griesbaum, F., Vamberger, M., Penner, J. (2026): Striking Diversity and Distribution of non-native Chelonians in Germany. Neobiota 107: 207-224. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.107.178668

Ernst, R., Cheek, M., Dijkstra, KD.B., Finckh, M., Gomes, A., Huntley, B.J., Kempe, A., Mandombe, J.L., Neinhuis, C., Vamberger, M., Lautenschläger (2026): Angola’s northern escarpment forest is disappearing before our eyes. Nature Ecology and Evololution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-026-02979-6

Clausnitzer, V., Baldesi, G., Borgerhoff Mulder, M., Caro, T., Ernst, R., Gabriel, D., Luke, Q., Orsenigo, S.& M. Vamberger (2026): Ngezi Forest: Pemba’s Endemic Biodiversity Under Threat. SWARA 12-17.

Kastelic, M., Koekemoer, N.J., Reissig, J., Vamberger, M. (2026): Feeding record of a South African Helmeted Terrapin, Pelomedusa galeata (Schoepff, 1792), on African Clawed Frogs, Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802). Herpetology Notes 19: 547-549.

Armstrong, A.J., Kropff, A.S., Kotze, A., Whitehead, W., Goosen, E., Ihlow, F., Monadjem, A., Padidar, S., Vamberger, M. (2026): Back Home: First successful geographical assignment of rehabilitated leopard tortoises Stigmochelys pardalis using a conservation genetic database. Conservation Genetics 27(41): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-026-01773-y

Leban, K., Škornik, I., Čonč, Š., Breg Valjavec, M., Kuralt, Ž., Štaut, L., Tičar, J., Polajnar Horvat, K., Gašperič, P., Smrekar, A., Vamberger, M. (2026): Habitat insights for the European Pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the coastal wetland area Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, Slovenia. Annales, Series Historia Naturalis. https://doi.org/10.19233/ASHN.2026.23

Caro, T., Baldesi, G., Borrini-Feyerabend, G., Clark, M., Clausnitzer, V., Dijkstra, K-D.B., Dobson, A., Ernst, R., Hamerlynck, O., Luke, Q., Orsenigo, S., Pretelli, I., Rita, J., Vamberger, M. (2025): Tourism puts Zanzibari reserve at a crossroads. Science389, 1301-1302. DOI: 10.1126/science.aeb5285

Umulisa, C., Djurakic, M. Bantlin, D., Müller, A., Vamberger, M. (2025): An integrative approach of taxonomic, morphometric and ecological research to solve the status of cryptic chelonian taxa – A case study with Pelomedusa kobe in Rwanda. African Journal of Ecology 63(1): 10.1111/aje.70006.

Waldvogel, A.M., Greve, C. & M. Vamberger (in prep.): High-quality reference genome for side-necked terrapins (Pelomedusa, Pleurodira).

Vamberger, M., Busack, S., Ayaz, D., Fritz, U. & L. F. Mazanaeva (2024): Mauremys caspica (Gmelin 1774) – Caspian Turtle, Caspian Terrapin, West Asian Stripe-necked Terrapin. In: Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises. Chelonian Research Monographs (5/18): 125.

Vamberger, M. & D. Bantlin (2024): Who is living in Rwanda? Unraveling the turtle and tortoise species using an eco-genetic approach. British Chelonia Group 280: 3-5.

Ihlow^#, F., Spitzweg^#, C., Vamberger^#, M., Augustine, L., Hagen, C., Davis, A., Leprince, B., Wagner, P., van Thong, P., Fritz, U. (2023): Molecular differentiation and conservation of the Indochinese box turtles Cuora galbinifrons, Cuora bourreti, and Cuora picturata Salamandra 59(4):336–346 (^#shared first authors)

Tietz, B., Penner, J. & M. Vamberger (2023): Chelonian challenge: three alien species are moving their reproductive boundaries. Neobiota 82:1-21.

Cordero, G., Vamberger, M., Fritz, U. & F. Ihlow (2023): Skeletal repatterning enhances the protective capacity of the shell in African hinge-back tortoises (Kinixys). The Anatomical Record. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24954

Vamberger, M., Kotze, A., Kropff, A.S., Armstrong, A.J., Coetzee, R., Whittington-Jones, C. (2022): News on conservation genetics of the leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) in South Africa. British Chelonia Group 270: 3-5.

Vecchioni, L., Marrone, F., Arculeo, M. & M. Vamberger (2022a): First data on the genetic structure of Trachemys scripta populations in Sicily (Testudines: Emydidae). Journal of water and land development, 139-145. doi: 10.24425/jwld.2022.143729

Vecchioni, L., Arculeo, M., Vamberger, M. & F. Marrone (2022b): Current Status of and Threats to Sicilian Turtles. Diversity 14: 798. https://doi.org/10.3390/d14100798

Gong, S., Fritz, U., Vamberger, M., Gao, Y. & B. Farkas (2022): Disentangling the Pelodiscus axenaria complex, with the description of a new Chinese species and neotype designation for P. axenaria (Zhou, Zhang & Fang, 1991). Zootaxa 5125 (2): 131–143.

Wolfgramm, H., Martens, J., Töpfer, T., Vamberger, M., Pathak, A., Stuckas, H. & M. Päckert (2021): Asymmetric allelic introgression across a hybrid zone of the coal tit (Periparus ater) in the central Himalayas. Ecology and Evolution (11): 17332–17351.

Dajčman, U., M.D. Hofmeyr, Ribeiro Anunciação, P., Ihlow, F. & M. Vamberger (2021): Tortoise forensics: conservation genetics of the leopard tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis (Bell, 1828) in southern Africa. Salamandra, 57(1): 139-145.

Ilhan, S., Vamberger, M., Ayaz, D. & U. Fritz (2021): Population structure and gene flow of the syntopic turtles Emys and Mauremys from coastal and inland regions of Anatolia (Turkey): results from mitochondrial and microsatellite data. Molecular Biology Reports.

Vamberger, M. & M. D. Hofmeyr (2021): Filling the sampling gaps: conservation genetics of the leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis). Testudo 9 (2): 48-58.

Speybroeck, J., Beukema, W., Dufresnes, C., Fritz, U., Jablonski, D., Lymberakis, P., Martínez-Solano, I., Razzetti, E., Vamberger, M., Vences, M., Vörös, J., & Crochet, P. (2020): Species list of the European herpetofauna – 2020 update by the Taxonomic Committee of the Societas Europaea Herpetologica. Amphibia-Reptilia, 41(2): 139-189. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-bja10010

Govedič, M., Lipovšek, G., Kirbiš, N., Bizjak Govedič, T., & M. Vamberger (2020): Newly discovered vital population of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Prilipe oxbow lakes (SE Slovenia). Natura Sloveniae, 22(1): 5-17.

Vecchioni, L., Marrone, F., Arculeo, M., Fritz, U. & M. Vamberger (2020): Stand out from the Crowd: Small-Scale Genetic Structuring in the Endemic Sicilian Pond Turtle. Diversity 2020, 12(9): 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12090343

Spitzweg, C., Vamberger, M., Ihlow, F., Fritz, U. & M. D. Hofmeyr (2020): How many species of angulate tortoises occur in Southern Africa? (Testudines: Testudinidae: Chersina). Zoologica scripta: https://doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12418

Vamberger, M., Ihlow, F., Asztalos, M., Dawson, J.E., Jasinski, S.E., Praschag, P., Fritz, U. (2020). So different, yet so alike: North American slider turtles (Trachemys scripta). Vertebrate Zoology, 70(1): 87-96. https://doi.org/10.26049/VZ70-1-2020-06

Ihlow, F., Van Huyssteen, R., Vamberger, M., Cory-Toussaint, D., Hofmeyr, M.D. & U. Fritz (2020): Geographic range extension for the Lobatse Hinge-back Tortoise, Kinixys lobatsiana (Power, 1927), with first records from the Soutpansberg region. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 14: 132–139 (e226).

Vamberger, M., Spitzweg, C., de Silva, A., Masroor, R., Praschag, P. & U. Fritz (2020): Already too late? Massive trade in Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) might have wiped out its phylogeographic differentiation. Amphibia-Reptilia, 41: 133-138

Schultze, N., Spitzweg, C., Corti, C., Delaugerre, M., Riccardo Di Nicola, M., Geniez, P., Lapini, L., Liuzzi, C., Lunghi, E., Novarini, N., Picariello, O., Razzetti, E., Sperone, E., Stellati, L., Vignoli, L., Asztalos, M., Kindler, C., Vamberger, M. & U. Fritz (2020): Mitochondrial ghost lineages blur phylogeography and taxonomy of Natrix helvetica and N. natrix in Italy and Corsica. Zoologica Scripta 00: 1–17. DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12417

2019

Vamberger, M., Hofmeyr, M.D., Cook, C.A., Netherlands, E.C. & U. Fritz (2019): Phylogeography of the East African serrated hinged terrapin Pelusios sinuatus (Smith, 1838) and resurrection of Sternothaerus bottegi Boulenger, 1895 as a subspecies of P. sinuatus. Amphibian and Reptile conservation, 13(2): 42-56.

Vamberger, M., Ribeiro Anunciação, P., Hofmeyr, M.D. & U. Fritz (2019): Mind the gap – Is the distribution range of Pelomedusa galeata really disjunct in western South Africa? Amphibian and Reptile conservation, 13(2): 57-60.

Spitzweg, C., Hofmeyr, M.D., Fritz, U. & M. Vamberger (2019): Leopard tortoises in southern Africa have greater genetic diversity in the north than in the south (Testudinidae). Zoologica Scripta, 48: 57-68.

Päckert, M., Ait Belkacem, A., Wolfgramm, H., Gast, O., Canal, D., Giacalone, G., Lo Volvo, M., Vamberger, M., Wink, M., Martens, J. & H. Stuckas (2019): Genetic admixture despite ecological segregation in a North African sparrow hybrid zone (Aves, Passeriformes, Passer domesticus × Passer hispaniolensis). Ecology and Evolution, 9: 12710–12726. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5744

2018

Pöschel, J., Heltai, B., Graciá, E., Franch Quintana, M., Velo-Antón, G., Arribas, O., Valdeón, A., Wink, M., Fritz, U. & M. Vamberger (2018): Complex hybridization patterns in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in the Pyrenean Region. Scientific Reports, 8: 15925.

Vamberger M., Hofmeyr M.D., Ihlow F., Fritz U. (2018): In quest of contact: phylogeography of helmeted terrapins (Pelomedusa galeata, P. subrufa sensu stricto) PeerJ 6:e4901, doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4901.

Vamberger, M. & U. Fritz (2018): Big data can cause big mistakes: using the Societas Europaea Herpetologica atlas by Sillero et al. (2014), the distribution of Emys orbicularis will be misunderstood. Biologia, doi:10.2478/s11756-018-0033-6.

Gong, S., Vamberger, M., Auer, M., Praschag, P. & U. Fritz (2018): Millenium-old farm breeding of Chinese softshell turtles (Pelodiscus spp.) results in massive erosion of biodiversity. The Science of Nature, 105: 34.

2017

Vamberger, M., Lipovšek, G., Šalamun, A., Cipot, M. Fritz, U. & M. Govedič (2017): Distribution and population size of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Ljubljansko barje, Slovenia. Vertebrate Zoology, 67(2): 223-229.

Pokrant, F., Kindler, C., Vamberger, M., Smith, K. T. & U. Fritz (2017): Grass snakes (Natrix natrix, N. astreptophora) mimicking cobras display a ‘fossil behavior’. Vertebrate Zoology, 67(2): 261-269.

Kindler, C., Chèvre, M., Ursenbacher, S., Böhme, W., Hille, A., Jablonski, D., Vamberger, M. & U. Fritz (2017): Hybridization patterns in two contact zones of grass snakes reveal a new Central European snake species. Scientific Reports, 7: 7378. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-07847-9.

Praschag, P., Ihlow, F., Flecks, M., Vamberger, M. & U. Fritz (2017): Diversity of North American map and sawback turtles (Testudines: Emydidae: Graptemys). Zoologica Scripta, doi: 10.1111/zsc.12249.

Joos, J., Kirchner, M., Vamberger, M., Kaviani, M., Rahimibashar, M. R., Fritz, U. & J. Müller (2017): Climate and patterns of body size variation in the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, doi: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx056.

Kehlmaier, C., Barlow, A., Hastings, A.K., Vamberger, M., Paijmans, J.L.A., Steadman, D.W., Albury, N.A., Franz, R., Hofreiter, M. & U.Fritz (2017): Tropical ancient DNA reveals relationships of the extinct Bahamian giant tortoise Chelonoidis alburyorum. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 284: 20162235.

Fennessy, J., Winter, S., Bock, F., Kumar, V., Nilsson, M.A., Vamberger, M., Fritz, U. & A. Janke (2017): Response to “How many species of giraffe are there?” Current Biology, 27: R137-R138.

Vamberger, M., Durkin, L., Kim, C., Handschuh, M., Seng, R. & U. Fritz (2017): The leaf turtle population of Phnom Kulen National Park (northwestern Cambodia) has genetic and morphological signatures of hybridization. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, doi: 10.1111/jzs.12161.

Vamberger, M., Stuckas, H., Vargas-Ramírez, M. Kehlmaier, C., Ayaz, D., Aloufi, A.A., Lymberakis, P., Široký, P. & U. Fritz (2017): Unexpected hybridization patterns in Near Eastern terrapins (Mauremys caspica, M. rivulata) indicate ancient gene flow across the Fertile Crescent. Zoologica Scripta, 46: 401-413.

Fritz, U., Kornilev, Y.V., Vamberger, M., Natchev, N. & P. Havaš (2017): The Fifth International Symposium on Emys orbicularis and the other European Freshwater Turtles, Kiten, Bulgaria: Over Twenty Years of Scientific Collaboration. Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 69:3-7.

Hofmeyr, M.D., Vamberger, M., Branch, W., Schleicher, A. & S.R. Daniels (2016): Tortoise (Reptilia, Testudinidae) radiations in Southern Africa from the Eocene to the present. Zoologica Scripta, 46: 389-400.

2016

Mazuch, T., Trailin, V., Fritz, U. & M. Vamberger (2016): Senegal flapshell turtle (Cyclanorbis senegalensis) in Ethiopia (Testudines: Trionychidae). Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, 10: e125.

Govedič, M., Vogrin, M., Bordjan, D., Bombek, D., Denac, D., Gregorc, T., Janžekovič, F., Kirbiš, N. & M. Vamberger (2016): New data on distribution of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Podravje region (NE Slovenia). Natura Sloveniae, 18: 77-82.

Fennessy, J., Bidon, T., Reuss, F., Kumar, V., Elkan, P., Nilsson, M.A., Vamberger, M., Fritz, U. & A. Janke (2016): Multi-locus analyses reveal four giraffe species instead of one. Current Biology 26: 2543-2549.

Arizza, V., Sacco, F., Russo, D., Scardino, R., Arculeo, M., Vamberger, M. & F. Marrone (2016): The good, the bad and the ugly: Emys trinacris, Placobdella costata and Haemogregarina stepanowii in Sicily (Testudines, Annelida and Apicomplexa). Folia Parasitologica, 63: 029.

Ihlow, F., Vamberger, M., Flecks, M., Hartmann, T., Cota, M., Makchai, S., Meewattana, P., Dawson, J.E., Kheng, L., Rödder, D. & U. Fritz (2016): Integrative taxonomy of Southeast Asian snail-eating turtles (Geoemydidae: Malayemys) reveals a new species and mitochondrial introgression. PLoS ONE 11(4): e0153108.

Standfuss, B., Lipovšek, G., Fritz, U. & M. Vamberger (2016): Threat or fiction: is the pond slider (Trachemys scripta) really invasive in Central Europe? A case study from Slovenia. Conservation Genetics, 17: 557-563.

Marzahn, E., Mayer, W., Joger, U., Ilgaz, Ç., Jablonski, D., Kindler, C., Kumlutaş, Y., Nistri, A., Schneeweiss, N., Vamberger, M., Žagar, A. & U. Fritz (2016): Phylogeography of the Lacerta viridis complex: mitochondrial and nuclear markers provide taxonomic insights. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 54: 85-105.

2015

Fritz, U., Kehlmaier, C., Mazuch, T., Hofmeyr, M.D., du Preez, L., Vamberger, M. & Vörös, J. (2015): Important new records of Pelomedusa species for South Africa and Ethiopia. Vertebrate Zoology, 65: 383-389.

Nagy, Z.T., Kielgast, J., Moosig, M., Vamberger, M. & U. Fritz (2015): Another candidate species of Pelomedusa (Testudines: Pelomedusidae) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo? Salamandra, 51: 212-214.

Vamberger, M., Stuckas, H., Sacco, F., D’Angelo, S., Arculeo, M., Cheylan, M., Corti, C., Lo Valvo, M., Marrone, F., Wink, M. & U. Fritz (2015): Differences in gene flow in a twofold secondary contact zone of pond turtles in southern Italy (Testudines: Emydidae: Emys orbicularis galloitalica, E. o. hellenica, E. trinacris). Zoologica Scripta, 44: 233-249.

2014

Petzold, A., Vargas-Ramírez, M., Kehlmaier, C., Vamberger, M., Branch, W.R., Du Preez, L., Hofmeyr, M.D., Meyer, L., Schleicher, A., Široký, P. & U. Fritz (2014): A revision of African helmeted terrapins (Testudines: Pelomedusidae: Pelomedusa), with descriptions of six new species. Zootaxa 3795: 523-548.

Vamberger, M., Stuckas, H., Ayaz, D., Lymberakis, P., Široký, P. & U. Fritz (2014): Massive transoceanic gene flow in a freshwater turtle (Testudines: Geoemydidae: Mauremys rivulata). Zoologica Scripta, 43: 313-322.

Fritz, U., Gemel, R., Kehlmaier, C., Vamberger, M. & P. Praschag (2014): Phylogeography of the Asian softshell turtle Amyda cartilaginea (Boddaert, 1770): evidence for a species complex. Vertebrate Zoology, 64: 229-243.

Brejcha, J., Cizelj, I., Marić, D., Šmíd, J. & M. Vamberger (2014): First records of the soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann, 1834), in the Balkans. Herpetozoa, 26: 189-192.

Stuckas, H., Velo-Antón, G., Fahd, S., Kalboussi, M., Rouag, R., Arculeo, M., Marrone, F., Sacco, F., Vamberger, M. & U. Fritz (2014): Where are you from, stranger? The enigmatic biogeography of North African pond turtles (Emys orbicularis). Organisms, Diversity & Evolution, 14: 295-306.

2013

Vamberger, M., Poboljšaj, K., Govedič, M., Debeljak Šabec, N. & A. Žagar (2013): Conservation activities for European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Slovenia. Herpetology Notes, 6: 123-126.

Vamberger, M., Stuckas, H., Ayaz, D., Graciá, E., Aloufi, A.A., Els, J., Mazanaeva, L.F., Kami, H.G. & U. Fritz (2013): Conservation genetics and phylogeography of the poorly known Middle Eastern terrapin Mauremys caspica (Testudines: Geoemydidae). Organisms, Diversity & Evolution, 13: 77-85.

Mashkaryan, V., Vamberger, M., Arakelyan, M., Hezaveh, N., Carretero, M.A., Corti, C., Harris, D.J. & U. Fritz (2013): Gene flow among deeply divergent mtDNA lineages of Testudo graeca (Linnaeus, 1758) in Transcaucasia. Amphibia-Reptilia, 34: 337-351.

Vamberger, M., Govedič, M. & G. Lipovšek (2013): Prispevek k recentni razširjenosti, ekologiji in varstvu močvirske sklednice Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) v Beli krajini (JV Slovenija). (SL) Contribution to the current distribution, ecology and conservation of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Bela Krajina (SE Slovenia). Natura Sloveniae, 15 (2):23-38.

Žagar, A., Cafuta, V., Drašler, K., Jagar, T., Krofel, M., Lužnik, M., Ostanek, E., Petkovska, V., Planinc, G., Sopotnik, M. & Vamberger, M. (2013): A review of eleven short-term reptile surveys in the Western Balkans. Hyla, 2013: 3-21.

2012 and earlier

Vamberger, M., Lipovšek, G. & M. Gregorič (2012): First reproduction record of Trachemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792), in Slovenia. Herpetozoa, 25: 76-79.

Vamberger, M. & I. Kos (2011): First observations on some aspects on the natural history of European pond turtles Emys orbicularis in Slovenia. Biologia, 66: 170-174.

Vamberger, M., Corti, C., Stuckas, H. & U. Fritz (2011): Is the imperilled spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) native in Sardinia? Implications from population genetics and for conservation. Amphibia-Reptilia, 32: 9-25.

Vamberger, M., Stuckas, H. & U. Fritz (2011): Fifteen microsatellite markers for the stripe-necked terrapin Mauremys caspica (Testudines: Geoemydidae) and cross-amplification tests in M. rivulata. Conservation Genetics Resources, 3: 87-89.

Krofel, M., Cafuta, V., Planinc, G., Sopotnik, M., Šalamun, A., Tome, S., Vamberger, M. & A. Žagar (2009): Razširjenost plazilcev v Sloveniji: pregled podatkov, zbranih do leta 2009. Natura Sloveniae, Revija za terensko biologijo, Journal of Field Biology, 11(2): 61-99.

Vamberger, M., Trontelj, P. (2007): Placobdella costata (Fr. Müller, 1846) (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae), a leech new for Slovenia. Natura Sloveniae, Revija za terensko biologijo, Journal of Field Biology, 9(1): 37-42.

Vamberger, M. (2023): Walking Down the Memory Lane… In Arifin, U., Caviedes Solis, I. W., Poo, S. (2023) Women in Herpetology , 50 stories around the world: 234-239. https://www.womeninherpetology.com/

 Žagar, A., Vamberger, M. & T. Genov (2019): Plazilci. In: Pavšič, J., Gogala, M. & A. Seliškar (Eds.), Slovenska Istra I: neživi svet, rastlinstvo, živalstvo in naravovarstvo. Slovenska matica, Ljubljana, pp.363-373.

Vamberger, M. (2014): European pond turtle. In: Štangelj, M. & M. Ivanovič (Eds.), Natural heritage of Bela krajina. Metlika (Belokranjski muzej), pp. 189-193.

Vamberger, M. (2013): Močvirska sklednica v Beli krajini. In: Štangelj, M. & M. Ivanovič (Eds.), Narava Bele krajine. Metlika (Belokranjski muzej), pp. 186-191.

Poboljšaj, K., Vamberger, M. & A. Žagar (2012): Atlasa dvoživk in plazilcev Slovenije. Trdoživ, Ljubljana 1(2): 8–9.

 Breg, A., Janota, B., Peganc, M., Petrovič, I., Tome, S. & M. Vamberger (2010): Slikovni določevalni ključ za plazilce Slovenije [Bebilderter Bestimmungsschlüssel für die Reptilien Sloweniens]. Ljubljana (Societas herpetologica slovenica), 50 pp.

 Vamberger, M., Bassu, L., Corti, C., Nulchis, V., Satta, M.G., Stuckas, H. & U. Fritz (2010): Preliminary data on the population genetics of Testudo graeca and implications for conservation. In: Di Tizio, L., Di Cerbo, A.R., Di Francesco, N. & A. Cameli (Eds.), Atti VIII Congresso Nazionale Societas Herpetologica Italica (Chieti, 22-26 Settembre 2010). Pescara (Ianieri Edizioni), pp. 465-471.

Vamberger, M., (2009): European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in Slovenia. In: Rogner M. (Ed.), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Edition Chimaira 4, Frankfurt am Main, 191 pp.

Vamberger, M. (2023): Melita Vamberger: Prste stran pa bodo ostali celi! Dnevnik. https://vecer.com/v-soboto/dnevnik-melita-vamberger-prste-stran-pa-bodo-ostale-cele-10331805

Zamolo, A., Kirbiš, N., Vamberger, M. (2023): Skrivno življenje plazilcev ob reki Dravi. Proteus 85/6-9: 324-333.

Vamberger, M. (2019): Schildkröten auf der Spur. Senckenberg Natur, Forschung, Museum, 149: 66-71.

 Lipovšek, G., Vamberger, M. & A. Žagar (2018): Močvirska sklednica, prikrita prebivalka naših voda. Svet ptic, revija Društva za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic v Sloveniji (2): 14-15.

Aquaschild: Forschungsprojekt untersucht Wasserschildkröten im Flückinger See https://www.baden-tv-sued.com/mediathek/video/forschungsprojekt-untersucht-wasserschildkroeten-im-flueckinger-see/

Film by Nina Kunze, SWR Kultur: Invasive Schildkröten im Südwesten – Artenvielfalt bedroht? https://www.swr.de/swrkultur/wissen/invasive-schildkroeten-arten-in-deutschen-gewaessern-100.html

Podcast by Ralf Caspar, Wissen aktuell – SWR2 Impuls: Wie problematisch sind invasive Schildkroten in Deutschland? https://archive.org/details/5mnau49spodtdnpforfbm1sbivv59ftzh47odr7m

Podcast Erdfrequenz Senckenberg: Gut gepanzert durch die Evolution: Schildkröten. https://erdfrequenz.letscast.fm/episode/34-gut-gepanzert-durch-die-evolution-schildkroeten-mit-melita-vamberger

Documentary by Waltraud Paschinger, 3Sat, Das Geheimnis der Au. https://www.3sat.de/dokumentation/natur/das-geheimnis-der-au-100.html

Population and Conservation Genetics in the Master program “Organismic and Molecular Biodiversity” Dresden University of Technology, IHI  Zittau

Genetical Forensics in the MSc “Biology in Society” Dresden University of Technology

(supervision or co-supervision*)

2025-2026  Abraham Bartomeu Bettens Capo (MSc), Organismic and molecular Biodiversity (Master), Technical University Dresden

2025-2026  Maj Kastelic, Erasmus student from University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Slovenia 

2026             Sreelekha Suresh Panthavoor Chandanam Parambathu (internship), Organismic and molecular Biodiversity (Master), Technical University Dresden

2026             Maham Munir (internship), Organismic and molecular Biodiversity (Master), Technical University Dresden

2024-2025 Charlotte Kricke, (MSc), Technical University Dresden

2024-2025 Elisa Wolfram (Peters), (MSc), Technical University Dresden

2023            Charlotte Kricke; (internships), Technical University Dresden

                     Abraham Bartomeu Bettens Capo, (internships), Technical University Dresden

2022           Jasmin Noack (internship), Technical University Dresden

2021            Luca Vecchioni, (DAAD researcher exchange program, PhD), University Palermo, Sicily 

                     Jasmin Noack (MSc), Technical University Dresden

2020          *Lars Zver, (Erasmus student, PhD), University of Ljubljana

                    *Benno Tietz; (MSc); University Freiburg

                     Hima Abdul Bari Shyma, (MSc), IHI Zittau

2019            Urban Dajčman, (MSc, Erasmus student), University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty

                     Hima Abdul Bari Shyma (internships), IHI Zittau

2017            *Süleymann Ihan (PhD), Ege University, Turkey

2016            *Marius Hedel (MSc), University Leipzig, Institute of Biology

                     *Anastasia H. Bednarz (BSc), University Leipzig, Institute of Biology

                      Botond Heltai (MSc), MME BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary

2015             Julia Pöschel (MSc), Technical University Dresden

2014             *Benjamin Standfuss (MSc), University Leipzig, Institute of Biology

2013             *Cäcilia Spitzweg (MSc), University Leipzig, Institute of Biology

2012             *Annika Tiesmeyer (MSc), University Leipzig, Institute of Biology