AFRICAN INVERTEBRATES

Scope & Guideline

Illuminating Africa's Invertebrate Diversity and Challenges

Introduction

Welcome to the AFRICAN INVERTEBRATES information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of AFRICAN INVERTEBRATES, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageMulti-Language
ISSN1681-5556
PublisherCOUNCIL NATAL MUSEUM
Support Open AccessYes
CountrySouth Africa
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2008 to 2024
AbbreviationAFR INVERTEBR / Afr. Invertebr.
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPRIVATE BAG 9070, PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL 00000, SOUTH AFRICA

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'African Invertebrates' is dedicated to the study and documentation of invertebrate diversity, taxonomy, and ecology across the African continent. It emphasizes the importance of both traditional morphological methods and modern molecular techniques in understanding the rich invertebrate fauna of Africa.
  1. Taxonomy and Systematics:
    Focuses on the identification, classification, and description of new species across various invertebrate groups, such as insects, arachnids, and nematodes.
  2. Biodiversity and Conservation:
    Addresses the biodiversity of invertebrate species, exploring their ecological roles and the implications of conservation efforts in different African ecosystems.
  3. Morphological and Molecular Techniques:
    Utilizes a combination of morphological assessments and molecular techniques, including DNA barcoding, to uncover species diversity and relationships among taxa.
  4. Ecological Studies:
    Investigates the ecological interactions and habitats of invertebrates, contributing to a better understanding of ecosystem dynamics and health in African environments.
  5. Historical and Collection-Based Research:
    Highlights the importance of historical collections and previous research efforts in expanding our knowledge of African invertebrate diversity.
The journal 'African Invertebrates' has shown a dynamic evolution in its research themes, with several emerging topics gaining traction in recent years. These trends reflect the growing importance of specific areas of study within the field of invertebrate research in Africa.
  1. DNA Barcoding and Molecular Phylogenetics:
    An increasing number of studies are employing molecular techniques, particularly DNA barcoding, to elucidate species diversity and phylogenetic relationships, emphasizing the integration of molecular data in taxonomy.
  2. Description of New Species:
    There is a notable surge in the publication of new species descriptions, indicating a rich and largely unexplored invertebrate diversity in Africa, particularly among Diptera and Hymenoptera.
  3. Focus on Endemic Species:
    Research highlighting endemic invertebrate species and their conservation status is on the rise, reflecting a growing awareness of biodiversity hotspots and the need for targeted conservation efforts.
  4. Ecological Impact Studies:
    Emerging studies are increasingly linking invertebrate diversity with ecological health and ecosystem services, underscoring the crucial roles these organisms play in their environments.
  5. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    There is a trend towards interdisciplinary research that combines entomology with other scientific fields such as ecology, conservation biology, and environmental science, enhancing the relevance and impact of invertebrate studies.

Declining or Waning

While the journal continues to thrive in various areas, certain themes have seen a decline in focus over recent years, indicating a shift in research priorities and interests within the field of invertebrate studies in Africa.
  1. General Surveys without New Findings:
    The trend of publishing broad surveys or checklists without significant new taxonomic contributions appears to be waning, as researchers increasingly aim to provide novel insights or descriptions.
  2. Non-Species Specific Research:
    Papers that focus on broader ecological or environmental assessments without specific invertebrate taxa are becoming less common, suggesting a shift towards more targeted research on specific groups.
  3. Historical Collection Reviews:
    While historical reviews remain valuable, the frequency of papers solely dedicated to reviewing past collection efforts or specimens has decreased, as the emphasis now leans towards contemporary fieldwork and new discoveries.

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