2014
Malacologia publishes original research on the Mollusca that is of high quality and of broad international interest. Papers combining synthesis with innovation are particularly desired. While publishing symposia from time to time, Malacologia encourages submission of single manuscripts on diverse topics. Smaller papers of local geographical or systematic content, and of high quality and interest, may be accepted as ‘Research Notes’. Nearly all branches of malacology are represented in the pages of Malacologia.
Manuscripts submitted for publication are received with the tacit understanding that they have not been submitted or published elsewhere in whole or in part.
Manuscripts must be in English, but may include an expanded abstract in a foreign language as well as the usual brief abstract in English. Both American and British spellings are allowed.
Unless indicated otherwise below, contributors should follow the recommendations in the Council of Science Editors (CSE) Scientific Style and Format manual, 7th ed., 2006.
Be brief.
Manuscripts must be prepared using Microsoft Word (Windows-version), 12-pitch, Arial font, lines at 1.5 spaces throughout (including the references, tables and figure captions), no added spaces before or after paragraphs, text aligned left, ragged right. Tables, figure captions and figures are to be placed on separate pages at the end of the file. Make the hierarchy of headings within the text simple and consistent. Avoid internal page references.
Choose a running title (a shortened version of the main title) of fewer than 50 letters and spaces.
For full papers, provide a concise and informative abstract summarizing not only contents but also results. A separate summary is not wanted. Research Notes do not require an added abstract.
Supply between five and eight key (topic) words to go at the end of the Abstract for full-length papers.
Use the metric system throughout. Micron should be abbreviated μm.
Three types of illustrations are accepted: (A) line art figures (black-and-white drawings, diagrams), (B) gray-step figures (“black-and white” photographs or gray-step drawings) and (C) color figures. Gray-step and color figs. should be saved with a resolution of 300 dpi; line art with 1200 dpi. Illustrations are printed either in one column or the full width of a page of the journal, so plan accordingly. The maximum size of a printed figure is 13.5 x 20.0 cm (preferably not as tall as this so that the caption does not have to be on the opposite page). The figure captions are not to be part of the figure.
Lines, letters, and numbers should be thick enough to allow reduction by 30% to 50%. Letters and numbers (Arial font) should be at least 2 mm (line art) or 3 mm (gray-step, color) high after reduction, but avoid letter sizes > 6 mm. In line drawings, the minimum line width of 0.2 mm is required (as measured by final size). Several drawings or photographs may be grouped together as plate.
All illustrations should be numbered sequentially and not as lettered sub-series. All figures must be cited in the text in the order in which they appear.
Scale lines are required for all none diagrammatic figures, and should be convenient lengths (e.g., “200 μm”, not “163 μm”). Magnifications in captions are not acceptable. But object or specimen sizes in a caption are acceptable.
Be professional. Sloppy illustrations, labels, borders will not be accepted. If assistance is required of Malacologia’s editorial staff, the author will be charged for the services rendered.
A caption should summarize what is shown in an illustration, and should not duplicate information given in the text. Each lettered abbreviation labeling an individual feature in a figure must either be explained in each caption (listed alphabetically), or be grouped in one alphabetic sequence after the Methods section. Use the latter method if many abbreviations are repeated on different figures.
Tables are to be used sparingly. All tables must be cited in the text in the order in which they appear. Tables should be composed using the table function of Word (and nottab-delimited text).
References cited in the text must appear in the Literature Cited section and vice versa. Refer to a recent issue of Malacologia for bibliographic style, noting especially that serials are cited unabbreviated. Supply information on plates, etc., only if they are not included in the pagination.
In systematic papers, synonymies should not give complete citations but should relate by author, date and page to the Literature Cited section. All new type specimens must be deposited in museums where other scientists may study them. Likewise, Malacologia requires that voucher specimens upon which a paper is based be deposited in a museum where their identity can be verified.
For all papers dealing with molluscan species, each such species should include its author and date upon first appearance, with the correct use of parenthesis around an author in the case of a generic assignment other than the original combination. In all taxonomic papers dealing with one to a few species, the original description of each species should be represented in the Literature Cited. In other studies – physiological, ecological, etc. – involving one or a few species, the author should either cite the original description of the taxon/taxa involved or some other work showing its identity.
For electronic submission of manuscripts, send a single manuscript file(including manuscript text, tables, figure captions and figures) together with a cover letter to Chuck Lydeard. Contact the editor to determine the method of submission if the manuscript has a file sizes exceeding 5 MB.
Once the manuscript is accepted, high quality and full resolution graphic files have to be provided. Submit such graphics to the graphics editor as TIFF files. For other formats or any question regarding electronic submission of graphics, contact the graphics editor. Keep the individual file sizes below 5 MB (using the option “LZW compression” will greatly reduce the size of TIFF files).
REPRINTS AND PAGE COSTS
Reprints must be ordered from the Business Office at the time proof is returned to the copy editor. Later orders cannot be considered. When 100 or more reprints are ordered, an author will receive 25 additional copies free of charge.
PDF files of the paper for personal use are available with a purchase of reprints; free of charge for subscribers to Malacologia. Subscription must include current and two paid for immediate past and/or future volumes.
Page costs must be paid prior to publication. Page cost recovery is required as follows.
Regular subscribers:*
Non-student: 10 pages free; U.S. $30.00
for each additional page (EAP)
Student**: 15 pages free; U.S. $20.00
EAP
Non-subscribers:
Non-student: 8 pages free; U.S. $60.00
EAP
Student**: 15 pages free; U.S. $30.00
EAP
A reduction or elimination of page charges may be possible under certain circumstances by arrangement with the editor. A reduction of page charges may be negotiated for papers exceeding 30 pages.
- Color figures must be paid-for by the author. Costs are U.S. $300 for the first color page in a paper and U.S. $150 for each subsequent color page.
SUBSCRIPTION PURCHASE
- Effective with Vol. 57, subscription rates per volume are as follows:
Personal: U.S. $75.00
(Student discounted rate: U.S. $40.00)
Institutional: U.S. $105.00
Agency and Dealership: U.S. $105.00
Current volume postage is included for shipment to an American or a Canadian address. Overseas postage is $16.00 per volume. Single and past volumes are available at subscription rates. Postage and handling is $13.00 per volume for shipment to an American or a Canadian address. Overseas postage is $34.00 per volume. Postage for orders weighing over 4 lbs. will be determined by weight.
- Regular subscribers are those who have paid up subscriptions for the current volume and two immediate past and/or future volumes.
** Students must identify themselves at the time of manuscript submission and also provide the e-mail address of their advisor.