PalZ

Scope & Guideline

Illuminating the Pathways of Biodiversity History

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of PalZ with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0031-0220
PublisherSPRINGER HEIDELBERG
Support Open AccessNo
CountryGermany
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1914 to 1916, from 1921 to 1924, from 1926 to 1942, 1944, from 1951 to 1997, 2001, from 2007 to 2024
AbbreviationPALZ / PalZ
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressTIERGARTENSTRASSE 17, D-69121 HEIDELBERG, GERMANY

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'PalZ' focuses on the field of paleontology, emphasizing fossil records, paleobiology, and the evolutionary history of various organisms. It aims to provide a comprehensive platform for the publication of research that enhances the understanding of past life forms and their environments.
  1. Paleobiology and Evolutionary Studies:
    Research in this area investigates the biological and ecological aspects of extinct organisms, exploring their evolutionary pathways and adaptations over time.
  2. Fossil Taxonomy and Systematics:
    This scope covers the classification and description of new fossil taxa, contributing to the understanding of biodiversity through geological time.
  3. Paleoecology and Environmental Reconstruction:
    Studies focus on reconstructing ancient environments and ecosystems based on fossil evidence, providing insights into how these systems functioned.
  4. Taphonomy and Fossil Preservation:
    Research in this area examines the processes that affect the preservation of organisms after death, including fossilization pathways and the conditions that enhance or hinder preservation.
  5. Biostratigraphy and Geological Correlation:
    This includes research that utilizes fossil assemblages to establish chronological frameworks and correlate geological strata across different regions.
  6. Innovative Imaging and Analytical Techniques:
    The journal encourages the use of advanced imaging and analytical methods, such as μCT scanning, to study fossils and their contextual information.
Recent publications in 'PalZ' highlight several emerging themes that reflect the evolving interests and methodologies within the field of paleontology.
  1. Integration of Molecular and Morphological Data:
    There is a growing trend towards combining molecular data with morphological studies to understand evolutionary relationships, enabling more comprehensive phylogenetic analyses.
  2. Climate Change and Its Impact on Paleobiology:
    Research addressing the effects of historical climate change on ancient ecosystems and species is increasingly relevant, as it informs current environmental challenges.
  3. Fossil Evidence of Behavior and Ecology:
    Emerging studies are focusing on the behavioral aspects of extinct organisms, utilizing fossil evidence to infer ecological interactions and life strategies.
  4. Advanced Imaging Techniques in Paleontology:
    The use of innovative imaging techniques, such as high-resolution μCT scanning, is becoming more prevalent, allowing for detailed studies of fossil morphology and structure.
  5. Paleobiogeography and Distribution Patterns:
    There is an increased emphasis on understanding the geographical distribution of fossils over time, linking paleontological data with biogeographical patterns.

Declining or Waning

While 'PalZ' continues to publish a wide range of paleontological research, certain themes have shown a decline in publication frequency or prominence over recent years.
  1. Morphological Studies of Extinct Invertebrates:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in detailed morphological studies focusing solely on invertebrate fossils, as the journal shifts towards integrating more ecological and evolutionary perspectives.
  2. Traditional Biostratigraphy without Novel Approaches:
    Conventional biostratigraphic studies that do not incorporate modern techniques or interdisciplinary approaches have become less common, as researchers increasingly seek innovative methodologies.
  3. Descriptive Taxonomy without Phylogenetic Context:
    Papers that primarily focus on descriptive taxonomy without exploring phylogenetic relationships or evolutionary implications are being published less frequently.

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