Instructions to authors

Purpose

Mammalian Species provides accurate and concise peer-reviewed summaries of the present state of biological knowledge of species of mammals, using a standard format that allows easy access to specific information. Accounts review and synthesize the existing literature on a species, rather than merely citing sources or presenting lengthy lists of information. An account is intended serve as the definitive and authoritative reference for scientific information about a species that will be the primary source for other types of publications, including non-technical or lay publications, natural history websites, or media accounts. As such, one or more authors will usually have direct research experience with the focal or similar species, and mastery of the literature on that species or group.

Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

Authors should observe high standards with respect to publication ethics as set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Any cases of ethical misconduct are treated very seriously and will be dealt with in accordance with the COPE guidelines. Further information about OUP's ethical policies is available on the Publication Ethics webpage.

The pages of Mammalian Species are open to all members of the scientific community, whether they work independently or for academic, government, industry, or other organizations. To enable our editors, peer reviewers, and readers to assess authors’ professional credentials, as well as any potential biases, we ask that authors disclose all information about their employment affiliations and any financial interests relevant to the work that the author has submitted for publication in Mammalian Species. Reviewers should also disclose similar information relevant to the works they are asked to evaluate.

Authorship

Authorship is limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the design and execution of the work described. ASM has adopted the definition of authorship used by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Specifically, authorship is based on the following four criteria:

• Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; AND
• Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; AND
• Final approval of the version to be published; AND
• Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Any contributors whose participation does not meet the criteria for authorship should be mentioned in the Acknowledgments but not listed as an author. The Journal does not allow ghost authorship, where an unnamed author prepares the article with no credit, or courtesy or honorary authorship, where an author who made little or no contribution is listed as an author. The Journal follows Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance on investigating and resolving these cases. For more information, please see the OUP Publication Ethics page.

Natural language processing tools driven by artificial intelligence (AI) do not qualify as authors, and Mammalian Species will screen for them in author lists. The use of AI (for example, to help generate content, write code, or process data) should be disclosed both in cover letters to editors and in the Methods or Acknowledgements section of manuscripts. Please see the COPE position statement on Authorship and AI for more details.

The corresponding author affirms that the work submitted for publication is original, previously unpublished, and not under consideration for publication elsewhere, and is responsible for ensuring that contributions of all authors are correct. It is expected that all authors will have reviewed, discussed and agreed to their individual contributions as shared by the corresponding author. After manuscript submission, no authorship changes (including the authorship list, author order, and who is designated as the corresponding author) should be made without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. All co-authors must agree on the change(s), and neither the Journal nor the publisher mediates authorship disputes. Any authorship disputes must be resolved among the individuals and their institution(s) before the manuscript can be accepted for publication. If an authorship dispute or change arises after a paper is accepted, contact OUP’s Author Support team. COPE provides guidance for authors on resolving authorship disputes. If you intend to use Read and Publish funding to publish your manuscript under an open access license, note that changing the corresponding author to access those funds is not permissible. For more information on Read and Publish funding, see the Open access charges section.

CRediT

The Journal uses the contributor roles taxonomy (CRediT) to allow authors to describe their contributor roles in a standardized, transparent, and accurate way. Authors should choose from the contributor roles outlined on the CRediT website and supply this information during the initial submission process. You may choose multiple contributor roles per author. Any other individuals who do not meet authorship criteria should be listed in the Acknowledgments with their contributions clearly described. Following manuscript submission, any changes to contributor roles require the approval of the Editor-in-Chief.

Authoring a Mammalian Species Account

Authors are expected to review ALL literature on a species, although they need not discuss or cite every source. Recent articles with extensive reviews of older articles should be cited, rather than citing all older articles. Except for original skull measurements, new or unpublished results should not be presented in Mammalian Species.

We especially seek authors to write accounts for wild mammals that are of significant economic or conservation importance, or from groups that are particularly underrepresented in the Mammalian Species collection. For example, accounts have been written for nearly 80% of species occurring in North America north of Mexico. Thus, we encourage researchers with expertise with species from other regions of the world to consider writing an account. Accounts should not be written for domesticated species, species that have been only recently described (especially if an account already exists for the parent or sister species), or species for which relatively little is known or published.

The decision to assign a species account to an author is made by the Editor-in-Chief of Mammalian Species. The Editor may also solicit accounts from experts in the field. If you are interested in writing an account, first check the most recent taxonomic reference, for example, Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World (Burgin et al., Lynx Editions, Barcelona, Spain) and the ASM Mammal Diversity Database (mammaldiversity.org), to be sure that the species is recognized, and then the list of published accounts to ensure that one has not already been written. Next, send a short email to the Editor-in-Chief to inquire if the species that you are interested in has already been reserved. If the species is available, then follow up with a letter to the Editor-in-Chief via email describing your interest. This letter should include:

• a description of your expertise and qualifications for writing the account, including direct research experience with the focal species or related or similar taxa; 
• evidence, i.e., literature citations, that sufficient published information exists about all aspects of the species’ biology to merit a new account (an average account is approximately seven typeset pages, equivalent to about 24 manuscript pages without figures);  
• a statement of your ability and willingness to gather sufficient information on the taxonomic history of the species to write an accurate synonymy, or to recruit a co-author who can do so (see below); 
• a commitment to complete the manuscript within the specified time-frame.

If the Editor-in-Chief agrees that an account is warranted and that the author(s) are qualified, he/she will reserve the species for the author for up to one year, with the option of a second year if the Editor-in-Chief is convinced, for example, from written draft materials, that sufficient progress is being made. If a completed manuscript is not submitted by the agreed-upon deadline, a new author can reserve the species. The Editor-in-Chief will maintain a list of species that have been reserved.

Updates to Existing Accounts

The first Mammalian Species account was published in 1969 and although more than 1000 have published, only a few have been updated to include significant new research findings. Although publishing new accounts continues to be our primary aim, we will consider publishing updated accounts for some species, especially those of special economic, conservation, scientific, or popular interest. If you are interested in writing an update to an existing account, contact the Editor as described above. In your letter, clearly justify the need and rationale for an update to an existing account and your specific qualifications for doing so. As a general rule, accounts less than 25 years old should not be updated, and extensive and significant new information about the species must have been published over the intervening period to warrant an update. Although a few parts of the updated account may not change substantially from the original, it is expected that most sections will have to be entirely re-written to cast new and old work into appropriate context. If the authors of the original account are still living and active in mammalogy, as a professional courtesy, the new author should invite the original authors to be co-authors on the updated account. Updated accounts will be given a new issue number, but must cite the original one and list the original citation in the Abstract and include it in the References.

Review Process

The manuscript should be completed following the instructions below and submitted online via ScholarOne. The Editor-in-Chief will quickly screen the manuscript for completeness and format, and will return it to the authors to correct any problems before it is sent out for review. The Editor-in-Chief may send the manuscript to taxonomic authorities for an initial check of the synonymy, but a correct synonymy is the ultimate responsibility of the authors. The Editor-in-Chief may also recommend that the authors withdraw their manuscript and use the ASM Buddy System (described below) to polish it before it is formally submitted. Incomplete, poorly prepared, or plagiarized manuscripts will be rejected.

When a manuscript is considered ready to review, the Editor will immediately assign it to an Associate Editor, who will then assign it to one or two independent reviewers. We use single-anonymized peer review, meaning that the Authors’ identity is known to the editors and to the Reviewers, but that the Reviewers’ identities are known only to the editors and are hidden from the Authors, unless a Reviewer chooses to sign their review. Based on the reviews and her/his own assessment of the manuscript, the Associate Editor will provide feedback to the authors and recommend changes. Because of the length and synthetic nature of Mammalian Species accounts, authors should expect the review process (from clean submission to manuscript decision) to take as long as 12-16 weeks. The Associate Editor will make a recommendation on the publishability of the manuscript, but the final decision to publish an account rests with the Editor-in-Chief.

The editors reserve the right to edit manuscripts for style and clarity. Contributions are accepted for review and publication on the condition that they are submitted solely to Mammalian Species and will not be reprinted or translated without permission from the publisher (Oxford University Press, OUP), although authors retain copyrights. 

General Instructions 

Manuscripts must be written in American English and should not be longer than 50 double-spaced pages. All accounts include 3 basic images (a color image of the mammal, a skull and mandible plate, and a clearly labelled distribution map). Additional images depicting behavior, habitat, etc. may be included if considered during the review to be valuable. Additional images, tables, or short audio or video clips can be included as online Supplementary data. All images, including Supplementary data, must be uploaded separately as high-resolution digital files (e.g., EPS, PNG formats) in the final version of the manuscript.

• Manuscripts must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx).
• Except for corresponding author’s contact information on the first page, the entire manuscript must be double-spaced, including the References. Use Times Roman 12-point font.
• Leave 2.5-cm margins on all sides and left-justify paragraphs. Use 1.25-cm indentation.
• Number all pages and insert number lines continuously throughout the document.
• Refer to the recent Instructions to Authors for the Journal of Mammalogy for guidelines on abbreviations, units of measure, and for the format of the References. The standard for style is the CSE style manual (Scientific style and format: the CSE manual for authors, editors, and publishers. 8th ed. Council of Science Editors, University of Chicago Press).
• For journal style and format, refer to recent (2024 or later) examples of Mammalian Species accounts. For examples of References refer to accounts published in 2024 or later.

ORCID

Mammalian Species requires submitting authors to provide an ORCID iD at submission to the journal. If you do not already have an ORCID iD, you can register for free via the ORCID website.

Manuscript Preparation

Manuscripts should be prepared as a single Word document, except that figures and Supplementary data files will be uploaded separately during the submission process. The manuscript should contain the following items, presented in this order:

Title page, including Abstract
Synonymy
Body of text (organized into Sections with Subheadings)
Acknowledgments
Supplementary data legends
References
Tables
Figure Legends
Figures

1. Title Page. Write corresponding author’s name, address, telephone, and email address in the top-left, single-spaced.

Title - Always [Genus species (Order: Family)]

Names of authors (regular font, left-justified, with asterisk identifying corresponding author), with affiliations designated by superscripted numerals, followed by ORCiD numbers 

Affiliations of authors, including postal and email addresses (regular font in italics, left-justified), in order by superscripted numeral matching author order. Different affiliations must be written out in full, and each must be placed on its own line.

Include current address (if changed) as “Present address of [initials]:”

Abstract. The abstract is a concise, four or five sentence summary of the account (125 words maximum). The first sentence should always begin “[Genus-species name Authority, Date] is a [family descriptor, e.g., caprid] commonly called the [black goat].” Subsequent sentences must contain and be ordered as follows: general physical, and perhaps unique, characteristics and “is one of [how many] species in the genus [Name];” statement on general distribution; statement on general habitat preferences; and statement on current conservation status. See recent accounts for examples.

Key words. Provide up to 8 key words, in alphabetical order, that are not in the title. Include the common name from the Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World and others in common use, if available. Capitalize the first letter of common names when referred to specifically, e.g. Bushy-tailed Woodrat; Sinaloan Mastiff Bat but mastiff bats; Alaskan Hare but Alaskan hares.

Manuscripts reporting on mammal species occurring naturally in Latin America MUST also include a summary (usually a translation of abstract) and key words in Spanish or Portuguese. For work from other non-English speaking countries, a foreign-language summary and key words are encouraged and welcome. Below the English key words, provide a translation of the article title, followed by the summary, and a separate list of < 10 translated key words, alphabetized in the foreign language.

2. Synonymy. All accounts begin with the synonymy, which traces the nomenclatural history of a species name from its original designation through any subsequent name changes and combinations, whether by design or error. For information on synonymies in Mammalian Species, consult Gardner and Hayssen (2004, Mammalian Species 739:1–17). Authors have two options when preparing a synonymy:

• Prepare a complete species synonymy. This approach provides a complete record of a species’ nomenclatural placement through time and is particularly useful for those species whose scientific names have undergone frequent and recent changes. Complete species synonymies can be challenging to construct, and some authors may wish to involve a colleague with nomenclatorial expertise and access to old, and often rare, literature through museum-based comprehensive libraries. Such involvement may merit authorship, which should be discussed candidly early in the process. Consider contacting the ASM Nomenclature Committee to help identify a potential co-author with experience writing synonymies. All entries must be in chronological order, set off with a hanging ident, and must include authority, date, page reference, appropriate descriptor, and complete citation in the References. Include references for all taxonomic authorities (= classifiers) that are part of the full scientific name; for example, Boselaphus tragocamelus de Blainville, 1816. Add the statement “Synonymy (or Synonymies if a generic synonymy has also been provided) completed [day month year]” after the Abstract.
• Prepare a simplified species synonymy, following the standard format, punctuation, and content outlined in Gardner and Hayssen (2004) and using Wilson and Reeder (2005) as a minimum starting point. For the simplified approach, authors must include: 1) original usage of the primary (= currently used name) species-level name, 2) every unique species-level synonym attributable to the primary species-level name, and 3) name combinations (generic changes, demotion to subspecies, etc.) associated with only the primary species name (not every synonym). Include references for all taxonomic authorities (= classifiers) that are part of the full scientific name; for example, Boselaphus tragocamelus de Blainville, 1816. All entries must be in chronological order, set off with a hanging ident, and must include authority, date, page reference, appropriate descriptor, and complete citation in the References.

When including type localities within the synonymy, you must present, in quotes, the exact locality given in the original description. Do not use quotation marks around a translation, transliteration, or any other modification of the type locality. Also, do not use quotation marks around any words that were not part of the original statement unless you enclose these words in brackets. See Gardner and Hayssen (2004) for examples of type localities.

A generic synonymy must also be included if a synonymy of the genus has not been published already in a Mammalian Species account. A key to the species must also be prepared if there are 3 or more recognized species in the genus.

Context and content. Immediately after the synonymy(ies), provide the order, suborder, family, subfamily, and tribe. Taxonomy follows the Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World and the ASM Mammal Diversity Database, mammaldiversity.org. Note whether or not the genus and species are monotypic; if not, explain. See recently published species accounts for examples.

Nomenclatural Notes. Include this subsection only after the species’ “Context and content” if matters of nomenclature or nomenclatural history are unclear in the synonymy and need further explanation. Write “(see Nomenclatural Notes)” at the end of each synonymy entry that will be discussed in this subsection. The following could be included: variations in the vernacular name, etymological origin of the generic and specific names, discussions of Opinions and rulings from the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, and common names by language or country of origin.

3. Body of Text. Section headings should be in sentence case and left-justified. Subheadings are in sentence case, left-justified, and in italics, ending in a period. The text then begins on the same line.

We use the following Section headings: Diagnosis, General characters, Distribution, Fossil record, Form and function, Ontogeny and reproduction, Ecology, Husbandry, Behavior, Genetics, Conservation, Remarks. Advice on the information to be provided in each section is given below.

• Diagnosis. This section should provide readers only with information necessary to distinguish the species being discussed from similar or closely related taxa. Characters that singly or collectively distinguish the taxon from other taxa should be presented in a comparative manner. Comparisons should be quantitative and meaningful alone (e.g., “length of maxillary toothrow at alveolar rim > 15 mm”) rather than comparative (e.g., “teeth larger”). Generic or familial characters should not be included in a species diagnosis, except when the genus is monotypic and comparisons are being made between genera.
• General characters. This section contains characters not strictly diagnostic. A general description in objective and quantitative terms should be included here. Information on color, external (length of head and body, length of tail, length of hind foot, length of ear) and cranial measurements (Fig. 2 of skull images is typically first referenced in this section), and sexual and age differences should be included, and can be presented in a table. Report appropriate standard measurements for that taxon. When presenting quantitative data, do not use contrived acronyms. See previous accounts for presentation of measurements for different groups (subspecies, sexes, geographic regions). Detailed descriptions and illustrations in the literature may be cited.
• Distribution. State the geographic range in general terms. Refer to the figure (Fig. 3) illustrating the distribution and cite authorities on which the map is based (map must indicate latitude and longitude). A concise statement of elevational or other distributional features or limitations is desired. The historic range in addition to reductions, expansions, or introductions is relevant. A map of the distribution should include subspecies boundaries. Do not include information on habitat, which should be placed in the Ecology section.
• Fossil record. Summarize data on fossil record of the taxon. Indicate time (age), space (place), and other noteworthy information. Use standard abbreviations to indicate dates, such as My, Ma, and BP. If no fossil record is known, include as the last statement of the Distribution section the sentence “No fossils are known.” A useful starting place for this information is: http://www.bfvol.org.
• Form and function. If the length dictates (i.e., if each section contains more than 2 paragraphs), separate into 2 subsections, with the exact headings below.
  • Form. Summarize structural or anatomical features of the taxon, if known, from molecular or biochemical through histological to gross anatomy (cite authorities), such as integument and derivatives, mammae and milk, skeletal system (including dentition), muscular system, circulatory system, nervous system (from central to peripheral), respiratory system, digestive system, urogenital system, endocrine system, and general anatomy that transcends separate systems. Dental formula should take the form of: i 1/1, c 0/0, p 1/0, m 3/3, total 18. Make sure the total is correct. Teeth should be referred to by a letter followed by a number, uppercase letters for upper teeth (e.g., M2, P4) and lowercase letters for mandibular teeth (e.g., m2, m1–3). Do not use superscripted or subscripted numbers to designate upper and lower teeth. Vertebral formula should take the form of: 7 C, 13 T, 6 L, 2–3 S, and 26–31 Ca, total 55–60.
  • Function. Summarize physiological or other dynamic aspects of function here such as metabolic rate, thermoregulation, water balance, energy balance, circannual cycles, hormonal cycles, and cardio-vascular, respiratory, reproductive, neuroendocrine, digestive, vision, echolocation, and renal aspects.
• Ontogeny and reproduction. If the length dictates (i.e., if each section contains more than two paragraphs), separate into 2 subsections, with the exact headings below.
  • Ontogeny. The following aspects should be arranged in a logical and orderly fashion: in utero and postpartum growth and development, description of neonate, postnatal or prepuberal changes, nursing, weaning, reproductive maturity.
  • Reproduction. Include aspects of reproductive physiology and cycles, estrous cycles, spermatogenesis, conception and implantation, pregnancy, gestation, parturition, litter size in utero to weaning, lactation duration, breeding season (time and length).
• Ecology. Information on relationships of the animal to its environment belongs here. Separate into six subsections, with the exact headings and arrangement below, if length dictates (i.e., if each section contains more than two paragraphs). You may include fewer than six subsections (or none at all) depending on availability of published information; topics listed after each subsection heading below are illustrative and not meant to be inclusive or exclusive.
  • Population characteristics. Include information on densities, survival and mortality, demography, longevity, sex ratios, fertility, and dispersal.
  • Space use. Include information on habitat use, home range, movement, migration, specialized habitat use (e.g., nesting places, burrows), spatial and landscape relations.
  • Diet. Include information on food and water use, foraging strategies, etc. Use a table to summarize extensive information.
  • Diseases and parasites. Information on diseases, ecto- and endoparasites, illness, disease transmission, and human interactions.
  • Interspecific interactions. Discuss competitive interactions, predation, predator avoidance, , unique mutualisms.
  • Miscellaneous. Describe unique methods of capture, marking, tracking, recording, censusing, sampling, or collecting; domestication, or breeding in captivity; pharmaceutical or medical uses; other economics.
• Husbandry. If information is sufficient, provide a stand-alone section on husbandry with those elements listed immediately above under “Miscellaneous,” such as capture, handling, captivity, captive breeding, and feeding and cage requirements.
• Behavior. Separate into 4 subsections, with the exact headings and arrangement below, if length dictates (i.e., if each section contains more than 2 paragraphs). You may include fewer than 4 of the subsections (or none at all) depending on availability of published information; topics listed after each subsection heading below are illustrative and not meant to be inclusive or exclusive.
  • Grouping behavior. Include information on sociality, group dynamics, territoriality, fighting, dominance, play, intraspecific interactions (cooperative or agonistic)
  • Reproductive behavior. Summarize breeding systems, courtship, mating, parturition, parental care, and neonatal behavior.
  • Communication. Describe vocalizations, descriptions of sonographs, scent marking, latrine use, etc.
  • Miscellaneous behavior. Discuss other behaviors not described previously, including activity patterns, hibernation, aestivation, grooming, foraging, hunting, interspecific associations, unique methods of study.

The Sections on Ontogeny and reproduction, Ecology, and Behavior may be combined under the heading Ecology if limited information is available and if the subjects seem more easily handled together.

• Genetics. Information on heredity and interactions between heredity and the environment belong here. Separate into 3 sections, with the exact subheadings and arrangement below, if length dictates (i.e., if each section contains more than 2 paragraphs).
  • Cytogenetics. Include information on karotype information, chromosomes, and anomalies.
  • Molecular. Include information on DNA, allelic systems, and anomalies.
  • Population genetics.Describe spatial and temporal genetic structure, conservation, genotypic and phenotypic expressions, hybridization, etc.
• Conservation. If the species is of “Special Concern,” indicate its status in this section. Published assessments of the status of the species (e.g., Rare, Endangered, Threatened, Status Undetermined) should be presented. Likely publication sources will include state, national, or international governmental agencies or recognized non-governmental organizations (e.g., International Union for Conservation of Nature, World Wildlife Fund). This section also can include population and habitat management, contaminant issues, economic impacts, and other human interactions (positive and negative).
• Remarks: Include any information that does not fit into the previously discussed sections. Significant differences of opinion in the published literature on any aspect of the account that deserves more detailed discussion may be included here.

4. Acknowledgments (note spelling; sentence case and left-justified)
5. Supplementary data

Supplementary data files that add depth to a manuscript can be supplied as text, audio, or video files. Supplementary data files should conform to journal style; editors and reviewers will view the file during peer review, but we will not copyedit, typeset, or format supplementary data. The material must be ready for posting when the manuscript is submitted for review.

Supplementary Data files should be referenced in the manuscript, e.g., “see Supplementary data SD1”. All supplementary data, be they tables, figures, text, audio or video clips, etc., should be labeled as “Supplementary Data SD1, SD2, SD3…,” consecutively through the manuscript. A short legend for each file should be included in a section titled, “Supplementary data,” and appearing before the References section.

Because Supplementary data files are published separately from the manuscript, they need to stand alone. If references are cited in the Supplementary data but not in the main article, the references should appear at the end of the Supplementary data file. They should not be listed in the References section of the manuscript.

Supplementary data must be uploaded as separate digital files during the submission process, not embedded in the Word document. Supplementary data can be document files (Word, Excel, PDF, etc.). Audio and video files should be no more than 10 minutes in length. Video files may be supplied by authors in .avi, .mov, .mp4, .mpg, .flv, .swf format, MPEG-2, or MPEG-4 preferred. If an author submits a video file, the author is encouraged to submit a still shot from the video (JPG, TIF, or EPS) to use for a thumbnail that can be placed in the article. Audio files should be mp3. Three-dimensional objects and geographic information system data should be KML files.

6. References (heading in sentence case and left-justified)

Consult the Instructions to Authors for the Journal of Mammalogy for citation format and style and the order of entries in the References.

List all works cited in the text in the References section, including authority citations for scientific names in systematic papers. Works that are not cited must not be listed. Submitted manuscripts must be ‘in press’ or removed before manuscript acceptance. Unpublished manuscripts, data, and reports cannot be cited in the manuscript or listed in the References; however, theses and dissertations may be cited. Small amounts of unpublished material may be included in text as either (pers. comm.) for information obtained orally or (in litt.) for information obtained in writing (e.g., letter, unpublished manuscript, internal agency report). The citation should include the source’s name and affiliation and the date of the communication: (Smith H.J., [university or other affiliation, city, state], personal communication, [day, month and year of communication]). Mammalian Species does not consider preprints published articles, therefore, preprints should not be listed as references and should instead be cited as personal communications. Submit letters from authors of personal communications giving permission to use the material. In rare instances, despite your extensive efforts, a publication cannot be found and needs to be cited in the text from a secondary source; follow this format (Desmarest 1816 not seen, cited in [your bibliographic source, including page number]). Make sure that both sources are included in the References.

At the end of the References, include the following text (the Editor-in-Chief will complete this before publication):

“Associate Editor was____ and ____ reviewed the synonymy[ies]. Editor was ___.”

7. Tables

Simple tables can be used to provide descriptive information for some sections (e.g., standard skull or body measurements, diet, parasites) or to facilitate comparisons. They can summarize information that would be awkward or lengthy if provided in the text, but they cannot include any new or unpublished data, and are not a substitute for synthesis. Longer tables can be published as Supplementary data.

Tables should be interpretable without reference to the manuscript; that is, they should “stand alone”. Tables must be prepared as a Word-formatted table within the manuscript document, not as a fixed image. Each table should be on a separate page, with the first following the References. Capitalize only the first word in the table caption (and subheadings), except for proper nouns. Use lowercase letters, not numbers, to indicate footnotes. Tables should not have any vertical or interior lines; the only lines permissible are solid horizontal lines above and below the column header, and at the bottom of the table. See guidelines for constructing tables in the Instructions for Authors for the Journal of Mammalogy.

8. Figure legends

Figure legends (or captions) must be listed, in order and double-spaced, on a separate page in the Word document. All figures should be interpretable without reference to the manuscript; that is, captions should sufficiently detailed that they can stand alone.

Sample figure legends (please use this format):

Fig. 1. An adult female Phenacomys albipes from 1 mile S Summit, Benton Co., Oregon (KU [University of Kansas, Museum of Natural History] 145695). Used with permission of the photographer B. J. Verts.

Fig. 2. Dorsal, ventral, and lateral views of skull and lateral view of mandible of an adult male Phenacomys albipes (OSUFW [Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife mammal collection] 7360) from 6 miles W Blue River, T16S, R3E, Sec. 22, Lane Co., Oregon. Occipitonasal length is 25.73 mm.

Fig. 3. Geographic distribution of Sciurus griseus. Subspecies are: 1, S. g. anthonyi; 2, S. g. griseus; 3, S. g. nigripes. Map redrawn from Hall (1981) with modifications.

9. Figures

Each figure must be uploaded as a separate digital file during the submission process, not embedded in the Word document. At least 3 figures must be included:

• Photograph of live animal. The figure caption must include the name of taxon, where and when animal was photographed, the age and sex of animal, the name of photographer, and a statement of permission for use of the photograph if taken by someone other than one of the authors of the account. A good quality illustration or image of a prepared specimen could be substituted, in that order of declining acceptability.
• Skull plate. Illustrations of the skull (dorsal, ventral, and lateral views) and lateral view of the mandible must be included. These either can be good quality images or line drawings. Do not include a scale bar. In the figure legend, indicate age and sex of specimen, the collection locality, full name of museum where specimen is on deposit, catalog number of specimen, and greatest length of skull or a similar measure. A statement including the origin of the photographs or name of illustrator (if other than the authors) and permission for use must be included. All views must be exactly to the same scale. Contact the Editor-in-Chief for specific details on constructing the skull plate.
• Distribution map. Carefully indicate the distribution of the taxon on a sufficiently detailed map. Be sure the distribution corresponds to the description in text. Differentiate subspecies in some convenient manner, numbering them on the map. List subspecies alphabetically in the figure legend and indicate their numbers. Type localities and fossil sites may be included. Consult previous accounts for general style and format. Cite authorities in figure caption to document distribution of the taxon. Changes in geographic range during historic times may be shown and must be documented.

The distribution map must include a border, latitude and longitude ticks, a scale bar in kilometers (km) and, if appropriate, a N arrow, and should be understandable on their own. The meridian in the center of the map should be vertical. If the map represents a limited (i.e., small portion of a continent) geographic range, use an insert of a larger scale map to illustrate where in the world the map represents. Be sure that width of lines and shading used to demarcate distributions of subspecies will be clear when reduced to 8-cm width (3.125 inches) in publication. Reduce the map yourself and carefully examine it for clarity before submitting the manuscript.

Additional images depicting behavior, ecology, habitat, etc., will be included if deemed useful, or they may be published as Supplementary data.

Refer to the Guidelines for Figures in the JM for detailed advice on drafting figures and technical advice from OUP on file formats and sizes. Strive to make your figures as accessible as possible to all readers. Artwork submitted for publication should be of the highest quality, in vector-graphic format if possible, or with a minimum resolution of 600 dpi for line art and 400 dpi for photographs at 4 x 6 inches for figures intended to run within the article. As described on this page, OUP supports use of the Sketchfab platform for in-page display of 3D models in the online article.

Please use a common file format for figures (e.g., TIFF, EPS). All figures will be published one column (8 cm) in width, so prepare them accordingly. Make lettering and figure legends as large as possible so as to be legible when published. For multi-panel figures, label each panel clearly with a capital letter (e.g., “A”, “B”) and use the same lettering in the figure legend to identify the panel being described.

For figures that are not owned by the authors, authors should aim to obtain the broadest distribution rights possible (i.e., all formats, all editions, all languages, worldwide, for the entire term of copyright) and should always obtain both electronic and print rights. If you are unable to obtain electronic rights to third-party content you must consult with the Editor-in-Chief before proceeding.

Figure accessibility and alt text

Incorporating alt text (alternative text) when submitting your paper helps to foster inclusivity and accessibility. Good alt text ensures that individuals with visual impairments or those using screen readers can comprehend the content and context of your figures. The aim of alt text is to provide concise and informative descriptions of your figure so that all readers have access to the same level of information and understanding, and that all can engage with and benefit from the visual elements integral to scholarly content. Including alt text demonstrates a commitment to accessibility and enhances the overall impact and reach of your work.  

Alt text is applicable to all images, figures, illustrations, and photographs. 

Alt text is only accessible via e-reader and so it won’t appear as part of the typeset article. 

Detailed guidance on how to draft and submit alt text. 

Additional Advice

As in the Journal of Mammalogy, cite literature in the text using the “Author-Year” format. Multiple in-text citations are ordered chronologically (Author 1998; Author 1999, 2000). If a reference was published in a different year than that presented in a book, insert the correct year in square brackets; e.g., “Gardner [2008]”. Use the first author’s last name and “et al.” for in-text citation of works with more than 2 authors or editors, and cite in chronological order by lead author (e.g., if Jones, Smith, and Andrews 2000 and Jones, Andrews, and Smith 2001 were cited simultaneously, this should be cited as Jones et al. 2000, 2001). For multiple works by an author in the same year, cite as “a”, “b”, etc. (e.g., Author 2010a, 2010b) with the first article cited in text denoted as “a” (note that Jones, Smith, and Andrews 2001 and Jones, Andrews, and Smith 2001 would be cited as Jones et al. 2001a, 2001b, with the letters allocated in the order that these are presented in the References).

Use simple English and minimize jargon. Accounts are intended to be read by non-professionals as well as professionals in the field.

To avoid ambiguous statements, do not use sequential modifiers, that is, more than two modifiers for the same noun.

The name of the mammal, not the authors of research papers, should be the subject of sentences when possible.

Use numerals rather than words to express whole and decimal numbers in scientific text, titles, headings, tables, and figure captions. Spell out single-digit ordinals, e.g. ninth, fourth, and common fractions, e.g. one-third, three-quarters.

Italicize only scientific names, statistical parameters (n, P), and foreign words; do not use bold or underlining.

Abbreviate the genus name except on first usage within a section or subsection and at the start of a paragraph or sentence.

Use spaces around operators for statistics, e.g., n = 62.

Use the metric system throughout, except in type localities and elevation in synonymies in which English units were used in the original. When converting to metric units, round the converted figures to an appropriate degree of precision (i.e., a nest diameter of 10–12 inches converts to 25–30 cm, not 25.4–30.48 cm, but 3 1/32 inch would equal 7.7 mm).

Language Editing

ASM has a “Buddy System” which consists of colleagues who have expressed willingness to assist authors with polishing the written presentation of their manuscripts. If English is not your primary language, you may request a ‘‘buddy’’ who will volunteer his/her time to assist you. Read more about the ASM "Buddy System". To be put in contact with a ‘‘buddy’’ please contact the Editor-in-Chief. 

Alternatively, you may find your own English language editing services. Language editing does not guarantee that your manuscript will be accepted for publication. Specialist language editing companies offer similar services and you can also use any of these, or others. Authors are liable for all costs associated with such services. BioOne, which aggregates content from ASM journals, has an agreement with Charlesworth Author Services, a language editing service, which provides a 10% discount to authors of the ASM journals.

Oxford University Press partners with Enago, a leading provider of author services. Prospective authors are entitled to a discount of 30% for editing services at Enago, via this link: https://www.enago.com/pub/oup. Enago is an independent service provider, who will handle all aspects of this service, including payment. As an author you are under no obligation to take up this offer. Edited manuscripts will still undergo peer review by the journal.

Publication Fees

There are no page charges for publishing in Mammalian Species.

Open Access 

Mammalian Species offers the option of publishing under either a standard license or an open access license. Please note that some funders require open access publication as a condition of funding. If you are unsure whether you are required to publish open access, please do clarify any such requirements with your funder or institution.
Should you wish to publish your article open access, you should select your choice of open access license in our online system after your article has been accepted for publication. You will need to pay an open access charge to publish under an open access license.
Details of the open access licenses and open access charges.

OUP has a growing number of Read and Publish agreements with institutions and consortia which provide funding for open access publishing. This means authors from participating institutions can publish open access, and the institution may pay the charge. Find out if your institution is participating.

Please note that you may be eligible for a discount to the open access charge based on society membership. Authors may be asked to prove eligibility for the member discount.

Offprints

Authors will receive electronic access to their paper free of charge.

Self-Archiving

For more information, please view our Author self-archiving policy page. In case of any additional queries, please contact Journals Permissions.

Preprint Policy

Authors retain the right to make an Author’s Original Version (preprint) available through various channels, and this does not prevent submission to the journal. For further information see our Online Licensing, Copyright and Permissions policies. If accepted, the authors are required to update the status of any preprint, including your published paper’s DOI, as described on our Author Self-Archiving policy page.