Molecular Ecology publishes papers that utilize molecular genetic techniques to address consequential questions in ecology, evolution, behaviour and conservation. Studies may employ neutral markers for inference about ecological and evolutionary processes or examine ecologically important genes and their products. We also publish articles on technical methods, computer programs and genomic resource development in our companion journal, Molecular Ecology Resources. However, papers that are primarily descriptive and relevant only to the taxon being studied should be submitted to a more specialized journal. Research areas of interest to Molecular Ecology include:
ecological, evolutionary, and population genomics;
population structure and phylogeography;
landscape genomics;
community ecology and coevolution;
reproductive strategies;
relatedness and kin selection;
sex allocation;
population genetic theory;
analytical methods development;
conservation genetics;
speciation and hybridization;
microbial biodiversity;
evolutionary dynamics of QTLs;
ecological interactions;
molecular adaptation and environmental genomics;
impact of genetically modified organisms.
Molecular Ecology concentrates on primary research articles (i.e., Original Articles and ‘From the Cover’ Papers) but operates a flexible policy regarding other submissions, including Reviews, Syntheses, Opinions, Comments and Meeting Reviews. There are no page charges associated with publication in Molecular Ecology.
We typically provide an editorial decision on new submissions within 4 to 8 weeks, and papers usually appear in print 6 to 10 weeks after receipt of the final manuscript. We are consistently working to provide authors with thoughtful, well-reasoned decisions in a prompt and efficient manner. To track the progress of your manuscript, you can visit our Manuscript Central Author Centre and check the status of your submission at any time.