ISSN 1679-6225 printed version
ISSN 1982-0224 online version

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• Scope and policy
• Form and preparation of manuscripts
• Neotropical Ichthyology taxonomic contribution style sheet
• Submission of manuscripts
• Steps followed during manuscript submission
• Further information

The manuscript must contain results of original research on marine and freshwater Neotropical fishes, in the areas of Biology, Ecology, Etology, Physiology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, and Systematics.

Scientific notes on morphological or chromatic aberrations, or new records of geographical distribution are not accepted. The Editor and Area Editors will perform a previous analysis of the submitted manuscript to analyze if its contents are appropriate to publish in Neotropical Ichthyology.

The Journal is open for submissions to all researchers on Neotropical fish fauna. Payment of publishing costs may apply if none of the author is a member of the Brazilian Society of Ichthyology.

Manuscripts that are not formatted according to instructions will not be accepted.

Manuscripts

• Manuscripts must be submitted as digital files.
• Text must be in Word for Windows or rtf files.
• Photos and figures must be sent as separate and individual tif or jpg files.

Format

• In taxonomic papers check also: Neotropical Ichthyology taxonomic contribution style sheet
• Text must be submitted in English.
• Manuscript must contain the following, in the cited order:

  - Title
  - authors names (*)
  - addresses (do not use a footnote)
  - Abstract
  - Resumo
  - key words (up to five, not repeating title information)
  - Introduction
  - Material and Methods
  - Results
  - Discussion
  - Acknowledgments
  - Literature Cited
  - Tables
  - Figure Legend.

• Manuscripts should not exceed 60 pages, including Figures and Tables. The Editorial Board will decide on possible exceptions.
• Scientific Notes must contain the following, in the cited order:

  - Title
  - authors names (*)
  - addresses (do not use a footnote)
  - Abstract
  - Resumo
  - key words (up to five, not repeating title information)
  - text without subtitles, including Introduction, Material and Methods, Results and Discussion
  - Acknowledgments
  - Literature Cited
  - Tables
  - Figure Legend

• Scientific Notes will be accepted only if they contain information that justifies immediate publication.

Text

• Text pages cannot include headers, footers, or footnotes (except page number), or any paragraph format. Never use "Tab" or "space" to format references. Text must be aligned to the left, not fully justified.
• Species, genera and Latin terms (et al., cf., aff., in vitro, in vivo) must be in italics. Do not underline words.
• Only the following titles should de bold formatted: Abstract, Introduction, Material and Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgements, Literature Cited.
• List abbreviations used in the text under Material and Methods, except for those in common use (e.g., min, km, mm, kg, m, sec, h, ml, L, g).
• Measurements must use the metric system.
• Manuscripts must contain the institutional acronyms and catalog numbers for voucher specimens.
• Acknowledgments must be concise and include both first and last names.
• Figures and Tables must be sequentially numbered according to their citation in the text, using the following formats: Fig. 1, Figs. 1-2, Fig. 1a, Figs. 1a-b, Table 1, Tables 1-2.
• The words Table and Fig. must be bold in legends.
• A list of figure legends must be included at the end of the manuscript.
• Tables must be constructed using lines and columns, but not "Tab" or "space". Tables can not contain vertical lines or footnotes. Digital files of tables must be formatted in cells. Digital files of tables with columns separated by "Tab" or "space" will not be accepted.
• Tables and legends must be included at the end of the manuscript, in the following format: Table 1. Monthly variation of the gonadosomatic index in Diapoma speculiferum....
• Approximate locations where tables and figures should be inserted must be indicated along the margin of the text.

Nomenclature

• Scientific names should be cited according to the ICZN (1999).
• Authorship is required only in taxonomic papers and at the first reference of a species or genus. Do not include authorship in the abstract or resumo.

Figures

• Figures must be of high quality and definition.
• Text included in graphs and pictures must be of a font size compatible with reductions to page width (175 mm) or column width (85 mm). Graphs will be preferably printed as one column (85 mm).
• Color photos will be accepted only if necessary for the paper and authors will be charged for the cost of printing the color photo.
• Composed figures must be identified with lower case letters (a, b, ..) in the left lower of each illustration. Composed figures must be prepared so as to fit either the page (175 mm) or column width (85 mm).
• Illustrations must include either a scale or reference to the size of the item in the figure legend.

Literature Cited

• Use the following formats in the text : Eigenmann (1915, 1921) or (Eigenmann, 1915, 1921; Fowler, 1945, 1948) or Eigenmann & Norris (1918) or Eigenmann et al. (1910a, 1910b).
• Do not include abstracts or technical reports in Literature Cited.
• Avoid unnecessary references to thesis or dissertations.
• Literature Cited must be in alphabetical order, using the following formats:

Books:
Campos-da-Paz, R. & J. S. Albert. 1998. The gymnotiform "eels" of Tropical America: a history of classification and phylogeny of the South American electric knifefishes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Siluriphysi). Pp. 419-446. In: Malabarba, L. R., R. E. Reis, R. P. Vari, Z. M. S. Lucena & C. A. S. Lucena (Eds.). Phylogeny and Classification of Neotropical Fishes. Porto Alegre, Edipucrs, 603p.

Thesis/Dissertations:
Langeani, F. 1996. Estudo filogenético e revisão taxonômica da família Hemiodontidae Boulenger, 1904 (sensu Roberts, 1974) (Ostariophysi, Characiformes). Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo. 171p.

Articles (list full periodic names):
Lundberg, J. G., F. Mago-Leccia & P. Nass. 1991. Exallodontus aguanai, a new genus and species of Pimelodidae (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from deep river channels of South America and delimitation of the subfamily Pimelodinae. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 104(4): 840-869.

Articles in press:
Burns, J. R., A. D. Meisner, S. H. Weitzman & L. R. Malabarba. (in press). Sperm and spermatozeugma ultrastructure in the inseminating catfish, Trachelyopterus lucenai (Ostariophysi: Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae). Copeia, 2002: 173-179.

Internet resources
Author. 2002. Title of website, database or other resources, Publisher name and location (if indicated), number of pages (if known). Available from: http://xxx.xxx.xxx/ (Date of access).

This summary is intended to provide specific information for taxonomic manuscripts only.

Generic accounts

Order of presentation:

Name Author, Year (or new genus [Do not abbreviate.])
[Synonymy]
Type species.
Diagnosis. (see below the CONSIDERATIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE DIAGNOSES)
Etymology. (for new species only)
[Remarks.]
Key to species.

Comments on above:

Type species: For newly proposed genera, the original Name of the proposed type species, followed by Author and Year of publication (or new species) is sufficient. For previously proposed generic names, the following additional information is required (in this order): Nature of type designation (e. g., original designation, monotypy, absolute tautonymy. etc). If the type species was not designated in the original publication, the author, year and page of the designation should be cited (e. g., Type by subsequent designation by Jordan, 1919: 45).

Diagnosis: diagnoses should NOT be written in telegraphic style (for clarity purposes). Generic diagnoses preferably should list the unique synapomorphies of the genus, followed by homoplastic derived characters and/or other useful distinguishing characteristics.

Etymology: For new names, state the gender, even though it may be obvious from the construction. Do not give an etymology for preexisting names. If it is necessary to discuss the etymology of an old name (for example, to justify an interpretation of its gender), put that in the Remarks section.

Species accounts

Order of presentation:

Name, Author, Year (or "new species" [Do not abbreviate.])
[Synonymy]
Holotype. [for new species only - include full collection data (see details, below)]
[Paratype(s).] [for new species only - include full collection data (see details, below)]
[Non-types .] [for new species only - include reduced collection data (see details, below) (Justification for separating non types should be provided in Remarks)]
Diagnosis. (see below the CONSIDERATIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE SPECIES DIAGNOSES)
Description.
Coloration.
Size.
[Sexual dimorphism.]
Distribution.
[Ecological notes.]
Etymology. [for new species only]
[Remarks.]
[Material examined.] (for accounts of previously named species)

Some comments on the above listed categories:

Types: Should be listed separately from other material examined only for new species. Should include full collection data, in the following order:

Catalog number, # specimens (except for holotype), size range, number and size range of measured specimens, if different - in parentheses, locality, date of collection [in Day, Month (3 letter abbreviation only) and Year format], and collector(s) (e.g., LIRP 5640, 25, 38.5-90.3 mm SL (12, 75.0-90.3 mm SL), Brazil, São Paulo, Município de Marapoama, rio Tietê basin, ribeirão Cubatão at road between Marapoama and Elisiário, 21º11'35"S 49º07'22"W, 10 Feb 2003, A. L. A. Melo).

Diagnosis: diagnoses should NOT be written in telegraphic style (for clarity purposes).

Description: In telegraphic style (i. e., no verbs or articles)

Coloration: In telegraphic style (i. e., no verbs or articles), may be divided in Color in alcohol and Color in life.

Etymology: For new names, state the usage (adjective, noun, patronym, etc.), even though it may be obvious from the construction. Do not provide an etymology for preexisting names, unless the etymology is necessary to justify the spelling. In such cases, this information belongs in the Remarks and not as a separate heading.

Material examined: Provide only locality, catalog number, number of specimens and size range. In addition, indicate any types by: (Holo- Syn-, etc.) type of Xus yus Author, date. For Lectotype or Neotype, also provide citation for source of designation (e.g., USNM 123456, 75 mm SL, Amazon River near Manaus, lectotype of Xus yus, Author, date, designated by Isbrücker (1971: 85) [or designated herein]). Specimen lots should be arranged by Country, then by State or Territory, then by river basin, if relevant. Country should be written in Bold font and should not be repeated after the first usage in a species account.

Specific issues:

Scientific names must always include the generic name, or at least an abbreviation for the generic name. This applies to tables and figure captions, as well as the text of the manuscript. Typically, the whole generic name should be spelled out in full at the first usage in each paragraph. Thereafter, an abbreviation can be used provided that there is no possibility of confusion with another generic name.

Bilaterally paired structures must be treated in the singular (e. g., pelvic fin short, not pelvic fins short)

Compound adjectives that include a noun should be connected by a hyphen (e. g., pectoral-fin spine, NOT pectoral fin spine).

Fin-ray formulae should be reported with unbranched rays in lower case Roman numerals, spines in upper case Roman, and branched rays in Arabic numerals. Transitions between different types of rays should be indicated by a comma (,) and not a plus sign (+), or dash (-) (e. g, iii,7 or II,9. Not iii-7 or iii+7; no spaces should be inserted after the comma). We treat the catfish spinelet as a spine, so dorsal fin counts that include a spinelet should be reported as II,6 (or whatever the branched ray count is).

Latitude and Longitude: No spaces between numerals and symbols. For degree sign, use Control +@, space (in MS Word) and not superscript O; for seconds, do not use the single quote mark twice, use the double quote mark (Shift quote).

Percents: no space between numeral and % (e. g. 25%).

Revisions and reviews

Species accounts should be in alphabetical order.

CONSIDERATIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE SPECIES DIAGNOSES

A species diagnosis is typically a paragraph constructed of full sentences which list the most important traits that allow the reader to unequivocally identify the species. Ideally, the diagnosis includes one or more features that are unique to the species, preferably autapomorphic characters. If unique features were not discovered, the next best option is a differential diagnosis, within which a series of direct comparisons are made among species and the alternative character states specified by contrasts are stated explicitly (using "vs." followed by the condition found in the species, or group of species, being compared, for each diagnostic feature). Diagnoses that consist only of a combination of characters (i.e., traits listed sequentially which, when considered together, distinguish the species from congeners) in many cases fail to make a convincing case that the species warrants recognition, mostly because too little information is offered in the way of direct comparisons with congeners. For that reason, this form of diagnosis should be avoided.

• Send manuscripts electronically to the Editor through the journal website (http://www6.ufrgs.br/seerni/ojs/index.php) or through e-mail at neoichth@ufrgs.br.
• Send a statement that it constitutes original research and is not being submitted to other journals.
• In multi-authored papers, indicate the name and address of the author responsible by all contacts and the e-mail addresses of co-authors.
• Indicate the area of Ichthyology (Biochemistry and Physiology, Biology, Ecology, Etology, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Systematics) to which the manuscript is referable.
• List three possible referees (name, institution, country and e-mail).

1 - Manuscripts and additional documents are sent to the Scientific Editor.

2 - The Scientific Editor analyses the contents, format and enclosed documents.

3 - If the manuscript fills all requirements, the Scientific Editor forward all documents to the Editor of the area related to the manuscript.

4 - The Area Editor analyses the contents of the submitted manuscript.

5 - If its contents are considered appropriate to the journal, the Area Editor send the manuscript, along with an evaluation form, to two independent reviewers (Referees).

6 - The Referees make a critical analysis of the contents of the manuscript, making the necessary suggestions for their improvement, and giving their expert opinion regarding its acceptance or refuse for publication.

7 - The Area Editor receives referees review and evaluation of the manuscript.

- If recommended without corrections the Area Editor forwards the manuscript to the Scientific Editor;

- If recommended with corrections the Area Editor returns the manuscript to Author, with the suggestions of the Referees;

- If not recommended, the manuscript is returned to Author.

8 - When receiving the manuscript with referees comments and editorial notes, author must make corrections immediately (maximum four weeks) and return to the area editor. If Author does not agree with referees suggestions, must justify its no adoption.

9 - The Area Editor receives the final version of the manuscript, check if necessary changes/improvements were made accordingly, and forward all documents (final version of the manuscript and illustrations) to the Scientific Editor.

10 - The Scientific Editor receives the documents, makes a final review of format and forward to printer.

11 - Proofs are reviewed by the Scientific Editor and forward to Author for review.

• Luiz R. Malabarba
  Editor
  Laboratório de Ictiologia
  Departamento de Zoologia
  Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
  Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 - bloco IV - Prédio 43435
  91501-970 - Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
  Fone: 55 51 33087719 Fax: 55 51 33087696
  e-mail: neoichth@ufrgs.br; malabarb@ufrgs.br
  www.ufrgs.br/ni