Evolutionary Science invites high quality submissions that advance evolutionary theory, comparative biology, and the mechanisms that shape biodiversity across time and space. We welcome original research, systematic reviews, and methodological studies that deepen understanding of evolutionary processes and patterns.

Our editorial focus prioritizes rigorous study design, transparent reporting, and reproducible analytical workflows.

• Phylogenetics, phylogenomics, and evolutionary relationships
• Population genetics, gene flow, and demographic history
• Speciation, adaptive radiation, and diversification dynamics
• Molecular evolution, selection, and genome evolution
• Evolutionary ecology and eco-evolutionary feedbacks
• Evo-devo and developmental mechanisms of change
• Paleobiology, fossil calibration, and macroevolution
• Comparative methods and trait evolution
• Experimental evolution and evolutionary modeling
• Conservation genetics and biodiversity assessment
• Microbial evolution and host-microbe coevolution
• Biogeography and historical range dynamics

• Phylogenomic analyses with curated datasets
• Trait evolution and comparative dataset resources
• Methodological notes on model selection or calibration
• Perspective pieces grounded in evolutionary evidence

Successful submissions present a clear evolutionary question, robust methodology, and transparent reporting of sampling and analytical decisions. We value studies that articulate model assumptions, provide supporting data, and interpret results within evolutionary context.

Authors should document sampling strategies, analytical workflows, and data availability to support reproducibility and comparative reuse.

• Clear taxon sampling and inclusion criteria
• Transparent model selection and parameter reporting
• Appropriate statistical analysis and uncertainty reporting
• Interpretation that links findings to evolutionary theory

Submissions undergo editorial screening for scope fit, methodological rigor, and reporting completeness. Qualified manuscripts move to single blind peer review with subject matter experts.

JES operates under an open access model to ensure evolutionary research is discoverable and reusable. APCs are applied after acceptance and support peer review, production, and archiving services.

Membership options and affordable APC waivers are available for eligible authors. Contact the editorial office at [email protected] for guidance.

• Scope fit confirmed for evolutionary science
• Taxon sampling and data sources documented
• Data availability statement included
• Ethics approvals and permits described
• Cover letter explains novelty and evolutionary relevance

• Report study system, taxa selection, and sampling rationale.
• Provide voucher specimen IDs and repository details when applicable.
• Include GenBank, ENA, or DDBJ accession numbers for sequences.
• Provide alignment files and phylogenetic tree files for reuse.
• State evolutionary models used and model selection criteria.
• Report priors, calibration points, and clock models for divergence dating.
• Describe population sampling and geographic coverage.
• Report effective population size estimates and uncertainty intervals.
• Include details on recombination checks and filtering criteria.
• Describe genome assembly or annotation versions used.
• Provide software versions and parameter settings.
• State criteria for ortholog selection and gene filtering.
• Report phylogenetic support values and thresholds.
• Describe trait data sources and coding decisions.
• Provide morphological character matrices where relevant.
• Include fossil occurrence sources and stratigraphic context.
• Report biogeographic models and range coding approaches.
• Describe comparative methods and phylogenetic correction steps.
• Include replication counts, bootstrap support, or posterior summaries.
• Report data partitioning strategies and justification.
• Provide coalescent model assumptions and settings.
• Describe selection tests and multiple testing corrections.
• Report convergence diagnostics for Bayesian analyses.
• Provide code repositories and workflow documentation.
• Include sensitivity analyses for model assumptions.
• Report handling of missing data, gaps, and ambiguous bases.
• Describe demographic modeling and model fit criteria.
• Provide metrics for gene flow and introgression.
• Include contamination checks and quality control steps.
• Report sequence coverage and read depth thresholds.
• State criteria for species delimitation analyses.
• Describe phenotype measurements and error estimates.
• Provide climate or environmental covariates used.
• Report time calibration uncertainties and alternative scenarios.
• Include data availability statements for matrices and trees.
• Describe ethical permits for field sampling.
• Report museum collection numbers and specimen provenance.
• Include statistical power or sampling adequacy rationale.
• Describe cross validation or model comparison metrics.
• Provide reproducibility resources: scripts, containers, or pipelines.
• Report integration of genomic and phenotypic datasets.
• Clarify use of reference genomes and outgroups.
• Describe lineage diversification metrics and methods.
• Provide convergence across independent analyses.
• Report limitations and interpretive boundaries.
• Report sampling effort and rarefaction analyses when applicable.
• Provide replicate analyses across alternative alignments.
• Include tests for model adequacy and fit.
• Describe handling of paralogs and gene duplications.
• Report date of data acquisition and database versions.
• Provide details on rate heterogeneity models.
• Describe alignment trimming criteria and thresholds.
• Provide details on phenotype measurement protocols.
• Report functional validation assays if included.
• Describe trait evolution models tested.
• Provide details on ancestral state reconstruction methods.
• Report missing data patterns and sensitivity analyses.
• Include network analyses for hybridization or reticulation.
• Describe criteria for outlier removal.
• Document use of Bayesian versus ML frameworks.
• Provide justification for sampling across clades.
• Report root placement criteria and alternative roots.
• Include fossil calibration rationale and bounds.
• Report gene tree and species tree reconciliation methods.
• Describe genomic data filtering thresholds.
• Include details on molecular clock tests and diagnostics.

JES is committed to rigorous, transparent publishing in evolutionary science. We emphasize reproducible phylogenetic and population genetic analyses, clear reporting of model assumptions, and ethical compliance in field and laboratory research.

The editorial office supports authors, editors, and reviewers with clear guidance and responsive communication. For questions about scope or workflow, contact [email protected].

We encourage open data, code sharing, and careful documentation of specimens and sequences to support replication and long-term reuse across the evolutionary biology community.