2. Papers should be written in English, and should, as a rule, not exceed 20 printed pages (ca. 30 double-spaced manuscript pages with standard typeface), including figures and tables. Longer papers are sometimes allowed but only if extra space is offered by the Executive Editor.
3. Manuscripts submitted for publication should be typewritten with double spacing and broad margins. The pages must be numbered. The title page should contain: full title, name(s) of author(s), name(s) and address(es) of the institute where the study was carried out, name and address of the author to whom proofs and offprints requests should be directed and a running title. If possible, an email address or fax number should also be provided.
4. Manuscripts should be submitted preferentially by email as an attached PDF-file (including Figures; max. 3 Mb), as well as a separate abstract-file in Word 97 for referee consultance. If electronic submission cannot be accomplished, manuscripts should be submitted in triplicate by post, accompanied with a version, and a separate abstract-file in Word 97, on disk for IBM computers (or compatibles). After acceptance of a paper, the original Figures (no electronic files) should be sent to the Executive Editor, together with a word-processor version of the text (Word 97).
5. Manuscripts should be preceded by an abstract containing a summary of the aims, the results and the conclusions of the study. The abstract should not exceed 250 words, and should be followed by a list of key words (max 6).
6. The use of italics other than in scientific names, as well as spacing of text and phrases, should be avoided. Footnotes and abbreviations should be avoided as much as possible.
7. Tables must be indicated with Roman numerals and carry a heading briefly stating the nature of the facts assembled; each table must be on a separate sheet of paper.
8. Captions for figures should be added on a separate sheet. Figures must be indicated with Arabic numerals.
9. Illustrations must be in final form for printing. Line drawings must be in black ink on good quality, white drawing paper. Lines, lettering and symbols should be suitable for the required reduction. The format of the pages is 11 x 17 cm; enough space should be left below each figure for the caption. Photographs and other halftone illustrations should be mounted on rigid white cardboard. Authors should indicate on the back of each figure the serial number of the figure, their name and the running title of the manuscript.
10. Full colour plates are accepted. Page-charges for colour plate always cover the full expense of publication costs.
11. The approximate position of each figure or table should be indicated in the manuscript.
12. References in the text should be cited in the following form: White & Kinney (1974). In case of more than two authors, the name of the first author followed by et al. is to be used.
13. At the end of the paper, references should be arranged in alphabetical order of authors' names. Journal names should be abbreviated according to the World List of Scientific Periodicals. References should be cited as follows:
Journal article: White, F.N. & Kinney, J.L. (1974) Avian incubation. Science, 186, 197-215.
Book: Krebs, J.R. & Davies, N.B. (1981) An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology. Blackwell,Oxford.
Chapter: Brown, J.H. (1975) Geographical ecology of desert rodents. In: M.L. Cody & J.M. Diamond (Eds.), Ecology and Evolution of Communities, pp. 315-341. Belknap Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
14. Suggestions for maximally 5 possible referees are welcome (with email adresses).
15. One copy of the first proofs is sent to (one of) the author(s). Proofs must be corrected without delay and returned with the manuscript to the Executive Editor.
16. Authors will have to transfer the copyright of their article to the Publisher.
17. Manuscripts and correspondence concerning editorial matters should be adressed to the Executive Editor: Dr. M. Muller.
VSP, P.O. Box 346, 3700 AH Zeist, The Netherlands