Banisteria accepts manuscripts that contribute to the public and scientific knowledge of the natural history of Virginia. This publication is intended to be an outlet for the kind of information that is useful but would not be accepted in the mainstream journals. Information found in field notebooks and files that never made it into scientific journals is especially important. Manuscripts derived from natural history observations, small‑scale field projects, distribution surveys and reviews, species inventories, reports for contracted environmental projects, and unpublished theses are especially desired. The focus of Banisteria is classical and therefore slanted toward organismal biology. Reviews of books relevant to Virginia’s natural history and biographies of naturalists influential in this field are also welcomed by the editor. The journal also is suited for papers on the history of natural history as it pertains to Virginia.
To qualify for publication in Banisteria, the manuscript must pertain in some way to the flora, fauna, geology, geography, climatology or Native Americans of the Commonwealth. The editor will consider manuscripts on any aspect of natural history from neighboring states if the information concerns a species native to Virginia or the topic is directly related to regional natural history. Papers may be full length or shorter contributions, and we are always looking for book reviews. There are no page charges for members of the VNHS. Non-members may submit manuscripts with the understanding that a charge of $15 per printed page will apply. The editor will be happy to assist authors in their preparation of manuscripts. We would rather help get natural history information published for others to use than have it remain on the shelf or in someone's desk.
All manuscripts should be sent to the editor (Steve.Roble@dcr.virginia.gov). Whenever possible, manuscripts (including figures and tables) should be submitted electronically as email attachments to the editor. Word format is preferred, but Word Perfect or pdf format are acceptable. If this is not possible, submit three printed copies of your manuscript to the editor, who will in turn seek two peer reviews. Contact the editor before attempting to submit files larger than 5 MB. For non-electronic submissions, authors should retain both the original typescript and figures until final acceptance for publication.  Photocopies are adequate for review purposes. Please do not justify right-hand margins, and do not attempt to produce “camera-ready copy.” One of the associate editors will serve as the editor for any papers written by the editor. 
Manuscripts must be written on one side of standard size paper (21.5 x 28 cm) using double spacing throughout. Use only one blank space between sentences. Words should not be hyphenated. Manuscripts should be arranged in the following order: title, author’s name, author’s address, abstract, key words (in alphabetical order), text, acknowledgments, literature cited, tables, figure legends, figures. Long manuscripts should have standard sections, e.g., Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion, although some papers may not be amenable to such division, and short manuscripts (<4-6 pages) need not have these sections. All pages should be numbered, including tables. The title should be concise but informative. It and the author’s name and address should be centered at the top of the first page. The text should begin on the first page beneath the abstract and key words. Use good judgment on arrangement of sections when other than the standard approach is necessary. Use italics or underlines for species’ scientific names.

References: Use the following as a guide. Do not abbreviate journal names.

Journal article with 1 author:
Scott, D. 1986. Notes on the eastern hognose snake, Heterodon platyrhinos Latreille (Squamata: Colubridae), in a Virginia barrier island. Brimleyana 12: 51-55.

Journal article with 2 authors:
Tilley, S. C., & D. W. Tinkle. 1968. A reinterpretation of the reproductive cycle and demography of the salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus. Copeia 1968: 299-303.

Journal article with 3+ authors:
Funderburg, J. B., P. Hertz, & W. M. Kerfoot. 1974. A range extension for the carpenter frog, Rana virgatipes Cope, in the Chesapeake Bay region. Bulletin Maryland Herpetological Society 10: 77-79.

Book:
Harris, L. D. 1984. The Fragmented Forest. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. 211 pp.

Chapter in a book:
Gentry, A. H. 1986. Endemism in tropical versus temperate plant communities. Pp. 153-181 In M. Soule (ed.), Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA.

Report:
The Nature Conservancy. 1975. The preservation of natural diversity: A survey and recommendations. Report to the U.S. Dept. of Interior, Washington, D.C., 189 pp. (include report series and number if present).

Thesis:
Bellows, A. S. 1999. Landscape and microhabitat affinities of small mammals in a continuum of habitat types on Virginia’s Coastal Plain. Master’s Thesis. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. 37 pp.

Tables: Each table should be typed on a separate sheet of paper, preferably using 10 point font. A legend for each table should follow the number and must be on the same page as the table. Ruled, horizontal lines should be avoided except at the top and bottom of the table. Remember that each table must fit within a space of 6.5 x 8.5 inches, and that reduction may cause loss of detail.

Figures: Black and white line drawings are acceptable for publication. Electronic submissions are preferred (jpeg, tiff, etc.). Original figures should be more than twice the size of final production size, and if several are assembled as a plate, keep the ratio of height to width consistent with the rectangular shape of the page. The back of each figure should be labeled with the author’s name. Color figures will be considered for publication if the author is prepared to pay the additional printing costs compared to black and white reproduction.

Photographs: Banisteria will accept high contrast black and white photographs. Electronic submissions are preferred (jpeg, tiff, etc.). If submitting originals, they should be at least 5x7 inches and mounted if possible. Remember that reduction to fit column or page width will cause some loss of detail. The back of each photo should be labeled with the author’s name. Color photographs will be considered for publication if the author is prepared to pay the additional printing costs compared to black and white reproduction.

Abbreviations: The following common abbreviations are accepted in Banisteria: n (sample size), no. (number), SVL (snout-vent length; define on first usage), DBH (diameter at breast height), yr (years), mo (months), wk (weeks), h (hours), min (minutes), s (seconds), P (probability), df (degrees of freedom), SD and SE (standard deviation and standard error), ns (not significant), l (liter), g (gram), mm (millimeter), and C (degrees Celsius). Male and female symbols may also be used if appropriate. Do not abbreviate dates or undefined terms.

Reprints: Reprints are not provided. However, authors will be provided with a pdf copy of their article upon publication to allow them or their institutions to prepare photocopies or electronic files for personal use or exchange purposes. The Virginia Natural History Society website will post either abstracts or the full text (pdf format) of all recently published papers. Within two years of publication, the full text of all Banisteria papers will be available on the website as downloadable pdf files.

Page charges: Page charges are waived for manuscripts written or coauthored by members of the Virginia Natural History Society, although those with grant funds are encouraged to contribute toward printing costs. Non-member authors will be accessed page charges at a rate of $15 per printed page. All authors are responsible for the full printing costs of color figures and photographs.

 

Home