The Journal of Paleontological Sciences (JPS) is dedicated to recording important scientific contributions from anyone in the paleontological community. We accept contributions from authors of all backgrounds including academic, vocational, students, lay and enthusiasts. Our goal is to provide a free and open forum in paleontology for the publication of original research, descriptions, historical, trade, commentary and other articles of interest.

Publication in the JPS is open to anyone interested in helping attain these goals. JPS is published electronically over the Internet. Manuscripts must be submitted to the editor or to the executive director of the AAPS. JPS only accepts submissions written in English. Publication is free, however authors are encouraged to become members of the AAPS (non profit 501C-3) and any donations to the AAPS are welcome.

Topics for publication include, but are not limited to, any aspects of vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, paleobotany, and paleo-related geology topics. We currently have a broad spectrum available for submissions:

1. "Contributions"- Formal, peer-reviewed professional papers based upon original research in the field of paleontology.
2. "Historical"- Includes informative and historical records on individuals, sites or excavations, the fossil trade, science, politics, etc.
3. "Trade Articles"- Includes articles on fossil preparation, fieldwork, education, etc.
4. "Commentary"- Includes opinions on articles, paleontological policy or paleontology in politics.

JPS retains copyright of all articles submitted and accepted. AAPS may also print the submissions in bound editions at the Boards discretion.

Authors are free to post copies of their article on their own webpage, social media, etc. but should link them back to the JPS web page and credit the JPS

Manuscripts that have already been published elsewhere may be published on JPS, as long as the author(s) still retain the copyright. The authors are solely responsible for verifying their ownership of the copyright. The author MUST however, acquire and submit to the JPS permission to reproduce any illustration or text if taken from another publication.

1. They must pertain to a relevant topic within the sub-disciplines stated above.
2. They must be written with clarity of expression, clarity of purpose and clarity of significance.
3. They must have consistency of methodology and follow the basic principles of logic.
4. They must represent data that is testable and verifiable.
5. They must rely on the scientific principle containing no untestable leaps of faith involving a supernatural, metaphysical or theological necessity.
6. They must contain no exaggeration, hyperbole or untestable claims
7. They must not have as their "core purpose" an attempt of monetary reward or sale. (i.e., no for sale advertisements).
8. They must adhere to the publication format and guidelines for manuscript publication.
9. Avoid sexist language.
10. Avoid false modesty. Use first person "I" if you did it, not the royal "we" nor the equally bad third person "The author noted that..." Write "I noted that..." BUT avoid overuse of "I".
11. All specimens from which the manuscripts are based must have been collected or obtained in accordance with the AAPS Code of Ethics.
12. Manuscripts may base their data on specimens held in the public trust or specimens held in private title (*see special guidelines for those held with private title at the end of the Guidelines). If the author is not the owner of the private specimen, he/she must provide written permission from the owner for publishing.
13. All taxonomic descriptions must follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Due to ICZN rules and regulations we are unable to publish manuscripts arguing for new taxonomic names for privately held specimens. Specimens thought to represent new species or genera may be described, but they may not be named in the JPS

All submitted manuscripts for inclusion into the "Contributions" section will be peer reviewed by at least two, anonymous, independent experts who are familiar with the topic or topics included in the manuscript and accepted by the JPS Board. JPS will select the peer reviewers from the Peer Review Board well known for their expertise in the field of paleontology. Following the peer review, the manuscript will be returned to the author with the reviewer's recommendations and suggestions. If significant changes are required, the manuscript must be modified by the authors and be resubmitted to the JPS. Once the editing is finished, the paper is sent to the authors for a final round of changes and then to the JPS chairman for inclusion in The Journal of Paleontological Sciences.

The Contribution Section will publish accepted scientific papers similar to those found in other major peer reviewed journals such as the Journal of Paleontology, Palaeontology, Acta Polonica Geologica, The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology etc. However, at this time, JPS will not publish manuscripts naming new species, genera, families or higher taxonomic names. Manuscripts submitted to this section will require review for content, style, grammar, readability and approval from the JPS Review Board. JPS will review each manuscript to ensure that the paper follows the necessary requirements. If the paper fails to comply with the requirements, it is to be returned to the author for changes. If those changes are not made or the manuscript fails approval by the JPS, it will not be published.

The Trade Articles Section is for manuscripts pertaining to fossil preparation tools, tips & advice, exploration, excavation, documentation, tools, tips & advice, as well as uses in education. Manuscripts submitted to this section will require review for content, style, grammar, readability and approval from the JPS Review Board. JPS will review each manuscript to ensure that the paper follows the necessary requirements. If the paper fails to comply with the requirements, it is to be returned to the author for changes. If those changes are not made or the manuscript fails approval by the JPS, it will not be published.

The Historical Articles Section will include informative and historical records of events, individuals, sites or excavations, the fossil trade, science, politics and the like. It can be a greatly expanded memorial (with references, etc) or anything historically interesting that the author wishes to convey to the public. Manuscripts submitted to this section will require review for content, style, grammar, readability and approval from the JPS Review Board. JPS must review each manuscript to ensure that the paper follows the necessary requirements. If the paper fails to comply with the requirements, it is to be returned to the author for changes. If those changes are not made or the manuscript fails approval by the JPS, it will not be published.

All articles submitted to the Commentary Section will include opinions and observations based on previously published scientific articles from any previously written source and on current or pending paleontological laws or policy. Personal attacks are not appropriate. Manuscripts submitted to this section will require review for grammar, content, readability and approval from the JPS Review Board. JPS must review each manuscript to ensure that the paper follows the necessary requirements. If the paper fails to comply with the requirements, it is to be returned to the author for changes. If those changes are not made or the manuscript fails approval by the JPS, it will not be published.

All manuscripts for the Contributions, Historical and Trade Articles of the journal must adhere to the following:

1. All manuscripts should be submitted only as MS Word documents.
2. The final layout will be handled by JPS so please do not put in any formatting that may cause us problems.
3. "Font should be in Times New Roman, all body text to be 12 pt. font.
4. Author(s) should include their affiliation(s) and email address(es).
5. Page format should be 2.54 cm on all margins (this makes it easier for the Journal to format and print), portrait style, no headers (except page numbers), no footers.
6. Pages should be numbered in the upper right-hand corner

Within the Body of the Manuscript:

1. There should be at least six sections of each paper including an Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Analysis, Conclusions and Bibliography (Acknowledgements are encouraged). We realize that some scientific contributions may have different sections and we will try to be consistent with what we have already previously published).
2. The Abstract gives the essential information of the article, including its purpose, the results and conclusion. (see Carpenter, K. 2007. How to write a scientific article. JPS.TD.07.0001).
3. Figures may be black & white or full-color. Image sizes should be moderate not to exceed 300 kb. without prior permission. All illustrations, and photographs should also be sent separately as attachments in their original format.
4. Each Figure/Table, etc. must have a number and a name (such as Figure 1: Caudal Vertebrae), and be referenced somewhere in the text as (Fig. 1, Table 1, etc.).
5. Excessive and undefined symbols should not be used without explanation.
6. All new paragraphs should be indented.
7. Leave a space between important sections or subsections of the manuscript.
8. All measurements should be in metric units (such as m for meters, mm for millimeters, cm for centimeters, etc.) with English equivalents in parenthesis if wanted.
9. All genera and species names must be in italics (ie. Tyrannosaurus rex, T. rex, Triceratops, etc.).
10. All authors referenced in the text must be in the in the Bibliography section and references not in the text are not to be in the Bibliography (Authors please do your due diligence on this!).
11. All genera and species names must be in italics (ie. Tyrannosaurus rex, T. rex, Triceratops, etc.).

Bibliography section should follow these examples (note no space between Authors initials):
FREY, E., H. TISCHLINGER, M.C. BUCHY, and D.M. MARTILL. 2003. New specimens of Pterosauria (Reptilia) with soft parts with implications for pterosaurian anatomy and locomotion. In E. Buffetaut and J.M. Mazin (eds), Evolution and Palaeobiology of Pterosaurs. Geological Society Special Publication, 217: 233-266.
GUTHRIE, R.D. 1990. Frozen Fauna of the Mammoth Steppe: The Story of Blue Babe. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. 338 p.
QIANG JI, CHIAPPE, L.M., and JI SHU-AN. 1999. A new late Mesozoic Confuciusonithid bird from China. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 19(1):1-7.
WUTTKE, M. 1988a. Amphibien am Messelsee - salamander und frösche. In S. SCHAAL (ed). Messel: Ein Schaufenster in die Geschichte der Erde und des Lebens. Senkenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main, 95-98.

We strongly encourage the publication of manuscripts based upon specimens held in private ownership. Much of the data generated from these specimens has not had a sufficient forum for public debate, historical record or scientific inquiry. In order to address issues of independent verification and repeatability, however, these manuscripts must adhere to the following additional guidelines:

1. The specimen is held in a private collection or museum that has agreed (in writing) to provide access to that specimen to any and all researchers (with sufficient time notification) without imposing a fee for that research for the duration of the titleholder's ownership.
2. The author must agree in writing to inform the JPS of the ownership and location of the specimen when and if the ownership and location changes.
3. A permanent to semi-permanent registration # should affixed to the specimen or it's matrix; a specimen registry card should be kept with the specimen with name, all scientific & location data, and a direct reference and link to the published article on the JPS website.
4. The owner of the specimen will try to place a cast of the specimen in a public repository either through donation or sale (cost or potential damage to the specimen in molding being a deciding factor).