Aims & Scope
Journal of Evolutionary Science (JES) publishes rigorous empirical and theoretical research advancing our understanding of evolutionary processes across biological systems, from molecular mechanisms to macroevolutionary patterns. We prioritize studies that integrate multiple scales of analysis-genomic, organismal, population, and phylogenetic-to illuminate the mechanisms driving biological diversity and adaptation.
Research Scope: Tiered Framework
Evolutionary Genetics & Genomics
Molecular mechanisms underlying evolutionary change, from single nucleotide variants to whole-genome architecture.
- Population genetics theory and empirical studies
- Genome evolution and comparative genomics
- Molecular phylogenetics and phylogenomics
- Gene expression evolution and regulatory networks
- Selection detection and adaptive evolution
- Evolutionary systems biology
Typical Fit
Genome-wide analysis of positive selection in adaptive radiations; comparative transcriptomics revealing regulatory evolution underlying phenotypic divergence; population genomic signatures of local adaptation.
Phylogenetics & Macroevolution
Evolutionary relationships, diversification dynamics, and large-scale patterns of biological change through time.
- Phylogenetic inference methods and theory
- Diversification rate analysis and trait evolution
- Biogeography and phylogeography
- Comparative methods for trait evolution
- Macroevolutionary patterns and processes
- Molecular dating and temporal frameworks
Typical Fit
Time-calibrated phylogenies revealing diversification shifts; comparative analyses linking trait evolution to ecological opportunity; phylogeographic studies elucidating speciation mechanisms.
Evolutionary Ecology & Behavior
Ecological and behavioral adaptations shaped by natural selection and their evolutionary consequences.
- Life history evolution and trade-offs
- Behavioral ecology and social evolution
- Coevolution and species interactions
- Ecological speciation and niche evolution
- Phenotypic plasticity and reaction norms
- Sexual selection and mating system evolution
Typical Fit
Experimental evolution studies of adaptation to novel environments; field studies quantifying selection on behavioral traits; coevolutionary dynamics in host-parasite systems.
Paleobiology & Morphological Evolution
Fossil record insights into evolutionary processes, morphological diversification, and extinction dynamics.
- Paleontological systematics and fossil phylogenies
- Morphological evolution and disparity analysis
- Extinction and recovery dynamics
- Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo)
- Functional morphology and biomechanics
- Integration of fossil and molecular data
Typical Fit
Quantitative analyses of morphological disparity through geological time; integration of fossil and genomic data to resolve deep phylogenies; biomechanical modeling of extinct organisms.
Secondary Focus Areas
Microbial Evolution
Evolutionary dynamics in bacteria, archaea, and viruses; experimental evolution; horizontal gene transfer; microbial community evolution.
Human Evolutionary Biology
Human origins and dispersal; primate evolution; paleoanthropology; evolutionary perspectives on human variation and adaptation.
Evolutionary Medicine
Pathogen evolution and virulence; host-pathogen coevolution; evolutionary perspectives on disease susceptibility; cancer evolution.
Conservation Genetics
Evolutionary implications for biodiversity conservation; genetic diversity and population viability; evolutionary rescue; adaptive potential.
Computational Methods
Novel bioinformatic tools for evolutionary analysis; phylogenetic algorithms; population genetic simulation; evolutionary modeling frameworks.
Plant Evolutionary Biology
Plant phylogenetics and systematics; polyploidy and genome evolution; plant-pollinator coevolution; crop domestication from evolutionary perspective.
Emerging Research Frontiers
JES selectively considers pioneering research in emerging areas that integrate evolutionary principles with novel methodologies or address previously inaccessible questions. These submissions undergo additional editorial review to ensure strong evolutionary content and methodological rigor.
Ancient DNA & Paleogenomics
Genomic analysis of extinct organisms; temporal population genomics; evolutionary insights from historical specimens.
Single-Cell Evolutionary Genomics
Cell-level evolutionary processes; somatic evolution; developmental evolution at cellular resolution.
Epigenetic Evolution
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance; role of epigenetic variation in adaptation; epigenome evolution.
Evolutionary Algorithms (Biological Applications)
Computational evolutionary algorithms applied to biological problems; evolutionary optimization in biological contexts; NOT pure computer science.
Out of Scope
- Pure clinical medicine: Clinical trials, diagnostic studies, or therapeutic interventions without explicit evolutionary framework or analysis. Rationale: JES focuses on evolutionary processes, not clinical applications.
- Agricultural breeding without evolutionary analysis: Crop or livestock improvement studies focused solely on yield/performance without investigating underlying evolutionary mechanisms or genetic architecture. Rationale: Applied breeding is distinct from evolutionary research.
- Descriptive taxonomy without phylogenetic context: Species descriptions or taxonomic revisions lacking phylogenetic analysis or evolutionary interpretation. Rationale: Modern evolutionary biology requires phylogenetic frameworks.
- Pure computer science/AI: Machine learning, artificial intelligence, or computational algorithms without direct application to biological evolutionary questions. Rationale: JES publishes biological evolution, not computational evolution as metaphor.
- Purely ecological studies: Community ecology, ecosystem function, or ecological monitoring without evolutionary context or analysis of evolutionary processes. Rationale: Ecology without evolution falls outside scope; consider ecology-focused journals.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Fast-Track Review
High-impact contributions receiving expedited editorial handling and peer review (target: 21 days to first decision).
Standard Review
Valuable contributions following standard editorial timeline (target: 35 days to first decision).
Rarely Considered
Accepted only when presenting exceptional insights or filling critical knowledge gaps. Authors should contact editors before submission.
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
All submissions must follow discipline-appropriate reporting standards: ARRIVE (animal studies), PRISMA (systematic reviews), STREGA (genetic association), or equivalent. Checklists required at submission.
Data Availability
All data underlying published results must be deposited in recognized repositories (GenBank, Dryad, Figshare) with accession numbers provided. Code for analyses must be available via GitHub or Zenodo.
Ethics Compliance
Research involving human subjects requires IRB approval; animal research requires IACUC approval. Field studies must document permits. Ethics approval documentation required at submission.
Preprint Policy
Preprint posting on bioRxiv, arXiv, or similar servers is encouraged and does not affect consideration. Authors should disclose preprint DOI at submission.
Open Science
JES is fully open access (CC BY 4.0). We encourage open peer review (optional), preregistration of studies, and sharing of materials/protocols via protocols.io or similar platforms.
Conflict of Interest
All authors must disclose financial and non-financial competing interests. Funding sources must be declared. Industry-sponsored research undergoes additional editorial scrutiny.
Publication Metrics & Performance
Editorial Performance Indicators
Ready to Submit?
If your research advances our understanding of evolutionary processes through rigorous empirical or theoretical approaches, we invite you to submit to JES. Our editorial team is committed to fair, constructive peer review and rapid publication of high-quality evolutionary science.
Submit Your Manuscript
