2. Papers should be written in English, and should, as a rule, notexceed 20 printed pages (ca. 30 double-spaced manuscript pages withstandard typeface), including figures and tables. Longer papers aresometimes allowed but only if extra space is offered by the ExecutiveEditor.
3. Manuscripts submitted for publication should be typewritten withdouble spacing and broad margins. The pages must be numbered. The titlepage should contain: full title, name(s) of author(s), name(s) andaddress(es) of the institute where the study was carried out, name andaddress of the author to whom proofs and offprints requests should bedirected and a running title. If possible, an email address or faxnumber should also be provided.
4. Manuscripts should be submitted preferentially by email as anattached PDF-file (including Figures; max. 3 Mb), as well as a separateabstract-file in Word 97 for referee consultance. If electronicsubmission cannot be accomplished, manuscripts should be submitted intriplicate by post, accompanied with a version, and a separateabstract-file in Word 97, on disk for IBM computers (or compatibles).After acceptance of a paper, the original Figures (noelectronic files) should be sent to the Executive Editor, together witha word-processor version of the text (Word 97).
5. Manuscripts should be preceded by an abstract containing a summary ofthe aims, the results and the conclusions of the study. The abstractshould not exceed 250 words, and should be followed by a list of keywords (max 6).
6. The use of italics other than in scientific names, as well as spacingof text and phrases, should be avoided. Footnotes and abbreviationsshould be avoided as much as possible.
7. Tables must be indicated with Roman numerals and carry a headingbriefly stating the nature of the facts assembled; each table must be ona separate sheet of paper.
8. Captions for figures should be added on a separate sheet. Figuresmust be indicated with Arabic numerals.
9. Illustrations must be in final form for printing. Line drawings mustbe in black ink on good quality, white drawing paper. Lines, letteringand symbols should be suitable for the required reduction. The format ofthe pages is 11 x 17 cm; enough space should be left below each figurefor the caption. Photographs and other halftone illustrations should bemounted on rigid white cardboard. Authors should indicate on the back ofeach figure the serial number of the figure, their name and the runningtitle of the manuscript.
10. Full colour plates are accepted. Page-charges for colour platealways cover the full expense of publication costs.
11. The approximate position of each figure or table should be indicatedin 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 thefirst author followed by et al. is to be used.
13. At the end of the paper, references should be arranged inalphabetical order of authors' names. Journal names should beabbreviated according to the World List of Scientific Periodicals.References should be cited as follows:
Journal article: White, F.N. & Kinney, J.L. (1974) Avianincubation. Science, 186, 197-215.
Book: Krebs, J.R. & Davies, N.B. (1981) AnIntroduction to Behavioural Ecology. Blackwell,Oxford.
Chapter: Brown, J.H. (1975) Geographical ecology of desertrodents. In: M.L. Cody & J.M. Diamond (Eds.), Ecology andEvolution of Communities, pp. 315-341. Belknap Press, Cambridge,Massachusetts.
14. Suggestions for maximally 5 possible referees are welcome (withemail 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 manuscriptto the Executive Editor.
16. Authors will have to transfer the copyright of their article to thePublisher.
17. Manuscripts and correspondence concerning editorial matters shouldbe adressed to the Executive Editor: Dr. M. Muller.
VSPPostal address: P.O. Box 9000, 2300 PA Leiden, The Netherlands