Journal Guide

Organisms Diversity & Evolution (published by the Gesellschaft fuer Biologische Systematik, GfBS) is devoted to furthering our understanding of all aspects of organismal diversity, particularly in an evolutionary framework. Papers addressing the systematics, phylogenetics, taxonomy, biogeography, biodiversity and/or evolution of any organismal group, recent or fossil, are welcome, as are papers presenting important methods or tools or addressing key theoretical, methodological, and philosophical principles related to the study of organismal diversity. Species descriptions are welcome as parts of a manuscript of broader interest that strive to integrate such taxonomic information with the other areas of interest mentioned above. Published articles are of one of four types: Original article. Papers describing original, high-quality research in any of the areas mentioned above. Methods and applications. Short papers (<5 journal pages) describing new laboratory methods, bioinformatic tools, or databases t

Malacologia is published by the Institute of Malacology (IM). The IM is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in the state of Michigan, the directors of which are listed under the masthead (see Masthead). The IM meets once each year for the purpose of business and governance of the journal, to select new members to the editorial board and to evaluate journal policies and performance.

For more than 100 years, The Auk has published original reports on the biology of birds. As one of the foremost journals in ornithology, The Auk publishes innovative empirical and theoretical findings. Topics of articles appearing in The Auk include the documentation, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory and field studies, theoretical or methodological developments, and reviews of information or ideas. Authors are encouraged to consider the relevance of their conclusions to general concepts and theories and to taxa in addition to birds.Along with research articles, The Auk also includes Perspectives that are invited by the Editor, Commentaries, Letters to The Auk and reviews of recently released books that are of significance to ornithologists selected by the Book Review Editor.Perspectives are points of view expressed on a particular subject. They are normally solicited by the editor and, beginning with the January 2007 issue, are reviewed externally by at least one person, as well as by the Editor. Authors with proposals for perspectives should contact the Editor.Letters to The Auk provide opportunities to speculate in print, comment on recent issues, topics, and methodologies, provide information of historical or taxonomic interest and comment briefly on papers published in The Auk or to respond to such comments. Letters are reviewed by the Editor and at least one outside reviewer and are published at the discretion of the Editor. Exchanges concerning published papers are strictly limited. For additional information, see Auk 123:347, 2005.

Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology is the leading ornithological journal in Africa, and publishes peer-reviewed scientific papers and short communications (<2,000 words) on all aspects of ornithology conducted in Africa and its associated islands and marine habitats. Contributions reporting on avian behaviour, breeding, conservation, demography, ecology, migration, morphology and systematics are welcome. Review articles are particularly encouraged. Extended taxonomic papers may be considered for publication particularly if they include relevant discussion of behavioural, ecological or biogeographic criteria. The journal also publishes book reviews. Articles published in Ostrich are expected to be of value to ornithologists, ecologists, conservationists and interested bird-watchers. Ostrich is the scientific journal of BirdLife South Africa. Disclaimer NISC and Taylor & Francis make every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the 'Content') contained in its publications. However, the Society and Taylor & Francis and its agents and licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the Content and disclaim all such representations and warranties whether express or implied to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any views expressed in this publication are the views of the authors and are not necessarily the views of the Editor, the Society or Taylor & Francis.

Founded in 1986, PALAIOS is a monthly journal dedicated to emphasizing the impact of life on Earth history as recorded in the paleontological and sedimentological records. PALAIOS serves to disseminate information to an international spectrum of geologists interested in a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to: biogeochemistry, ichnology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, and paleoceanography. PALAIOS welcomes contributions that emphasize using paleontology to answer any number of important geologic and biologic questions that further our understanding of Earth history.

PLoS Computational Biology features works of exceptional significance that further our understanding of living systems at all scales—from molecules and cells, to patient populations and ecosystems—through the application of computational methods. Readers include life and computational scientists, who can take the important findings presented here to the next level of discovery.Research articles that primarily describe new methods and offer only limited biological insight will be considered only in those exceptional instances in which the method is expected to significantly impact the field of computational biology, typically making substantial breakthroughs in areas of demonstrated importance. Research articles modeling aspects of biological systems should demonstrate both scientific novelty and profound new biological insights. Research articles describing improved or routine methods, models, software, and databases will not be considered by PLoS Computational Biology, and may be more appropriate for PLoS ONE.Generally, reliability and significance of biological discovery are validated and enriched by experimental studies. Experimental validation is not required for publication, however, nor does experimental validation of a modest biological discovery render a manuscript suitable for PLoS Computational Biology.For all submissions, authors must clearly provide detail, data, and software to ensure readers' ability to reproduce the models, methods, and results.Authors unsure of whether their work is within the scope of the journal should submit a presubmission inquiry.

Genetics and genomics research has grown at a bewildering pace in the past 15 years. The techniques of these fields are being applied to a wealth of biological questions and experimental systems. PLoS Genetics reflects the full breadth and interdisciplinary nature of this research by publishing outstanding original contributions in all areas of biology.PLoS Genetics publishes human studies, as well as research on model organisms—from mice and flies, to plants and bacteria. Our emphasis is on studies of broad interest that provide significant mechanistic insight into a biological process or processes. Topics include (but are not limited to) gene discovery and function, population genetics, genome projects, comparative and functional genomics, medical genetics, disease biology, evolution, gene expression, complex traits, chromosome biology, and epigenetics.Please refer to our Author Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions when you are preparing manuscripts for submission. If you are unsure whether your work is suitable for PLoS Genetics, you can send a Presubmission Inquiry.

Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments is a peer-reviewed international journal for the publication of high-quality multidisciplinary studies in the fields of palaeobiodiversity, palaeoenvironments and palaeobiogeography. Key criteria for the acceptance of manuscripts are a global scope or implications of problems on a global scale significant not only for a single discipline, a focus on the diversity of fossil organisms and the causes and processes of change in Earth’s history. The topics covered include: Systematic studies of all fossil animal / plant groups with a special focus on palaeoenvironmental investigations, palaeoecosystems and climate changes in Earth’s history, environment-organism interaction, comparison of modern and ancient sedimentary environments, palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography.

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology is an international medium for the publication of high quality and multidisciplinary, original studies and comprehensive reviews in the field of palaeo-environmental geology. The journal aims at bringing together data with global implications from research in the many different disciplines involved in palaeo-environmental investigations.By cutting across the boundaries of established sciences, it provides an interdisciplinary forum where issues of general interest can be discussed.Benefits to authorsWe also provide many author benefits, such as free PDFs, a liberal copyright policy, special discounts on Elsevier publications and much more. Please click here for more information on our author services.Please see our Guide for Authors for information on article submission. If you require any further information or help, please visit our support pages: http://support.elsevier.com

Palaeontology is the journal of the Palaeontological Association. Please click here to access the Palaeontological Association website (www.palass.org)The journal publishes a wide variety of papers on palaeontological topics covering: palaeozoology palaeobotany systematic studies palaeoecology micropalaeontology palaeobiogeography functional morphology stratigraphy taxonomy taphonomy palaeoenvironmental reconstruction palaeoclimate analysis and biomineralization studies.

Palaeoworld is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal dedicated to studies on palaeontology and stratigraphy centered in China and the neighboring regions, encouraging original works of fossils and strata, comparative studies worldwide, and interdisciplinary approaches in related disciplines. Some issues will be devoted entirely to a special theme in the discipline. Palaeoworld is oriented to a broad spectrum of geoscience researchers as well as experts and students in evolutionary biology who are interested in historical geology and biotic evolution.Palaeoworld publishes papers in the following areas:• Systematic studies of all fossil groups• Biostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy• Palaeoecology, palaeoenvironment and global changes in Earth's history• Tempo and mode of biological evolution• Studies of biological events in Earth's history• Evolving ecosystem• Molecular palaeontology• Methods in palaeontology and stratigraphy• Interdisciplinary studies of fossil and strataPalaeoworld accepts the following categories of contributions:• Original research papers and case studies• Review articles (normally invited)• Special theme issues• Short notes• Letters to the Editors• Book reviews

PaleoAmerica disseminates new research results and ideas about early human dispersal and migrations, with a particular focus on the Americas. It fosters an interdisciplinary dialog between archaeologists, geneticists and other scientists investigating the dispersal of modern humans during the late Pleistocene.

The journal has three goals: First and foremost, the journal is a vehicle for the presentation of new research results. Second, it includes editorials on special topics written by leaders in the field. Third, the journal solicits essays covering current debates in the field, the state of research in relevant disciplines, and summaries of new research findings in a particular region, for example Beringia, the Eastern Seaboard or the Southern Cone of South America. Although the journal’s focus is the peopling of the Americas, editorials and research essays also highlight the investigation of early human colonization of empty lands in other areas of the world. As techniques are developing so rapidly, work in other regions can be very relevant to the Americas, so the journal will publish research relating to other regions which has relevance to research on the Americas.

Pedobiologia publishes peer reviewed articles describing original work in the field of soil ecology, which includes the study of soil organisms and their interactions with factors in their biotic and abiotic environments.Analysis of biological structures, interactions, functions, and processes in soil is fundamental for understanding the dynamical nature of terrestrial ecosystems, a prerequisite for appropriate soil management. The scope of this journal consists of fundamental and applied aspects of soil ecology; key focal points include interactions among organisms in soil, organismal controls on soil processes, causes and consequences of soil biodiversity, and aboveground-belowground interactions.We publish:original research that tests clearly defined hypotheses addressing topics of current interest in soil ecology (including studies demonstrating nonsignificant effects);descriptions of novel methodological approaches, or evaluations of current approaches, that address a clear need in soil ecology research;innovative syntheses of the soil ecology literature, including metaanalyses, topical in depth reviews and short opinion/perspective pieces, and descriptions of original conceptual frameworks; andshort notes reporting novel observations of ecological significance.

Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (PPEES) publishes outstanding and thought-provoking articles of general interest to an international readership in the fields of plant ecology, evolution and systematics. Of particular interest are longer, in-depth articles that provide a broad understanding of key topics in the field. There are six issues per year.The following types of article will be considered:Full length reviewsEssay reviewsLonger research articlesMeta-analysesFoundational methodological or empirical papers from large consortia or long-term ecological research sites (LTER)To maintain high scientific standards, manuscripts are submitted to two or more reviewers for evaluation of their scientific soundness and significance. Authors will be generally notified of acceptance, rejection, or need for revision of their manuscripts within three months.Biological flora series (monographs of model species)PPEES is particularly interested in contributions to the knowledge of species that are flagship species for conservation, invasive species of particular concern, or species that are frequently used as models in ecological research. Prospective authors should contact the editorial office of PPEES before starting to write a contribution and enquire whether their planned manuscript would be of interest to PPEES.For more information on the aims and scope of PPEES please read the recent editorial published in Volume 14, Issue 1, 2012. http://www.elsevier-data.de/journals/PPEES_editorial_2012.pdfPerspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics is included in the Research4Life program. Research4Life (http://www.research4life.org/) is a partnership of United Nations agencies, universities, and publishers that makes journal articles available for free or at very low cost to institutions in developing countries. For more details go to: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/intro.cws_home/research4life