Instructions to Authors

As part of the electronic submission of manuscripts, authors are required to write a letter to the editor detailing the content of the manuscript and its appropriateness for the Bulletin of Marine Science, as well as any other information that the authors wish for the editor to consider. If the submission is intended to be considered for inclusion in a special issue, please identify that here. Authors can also identify an editor from the Bulletin’s editorial board to handle their submission.

To facilitate initial review of a manuscript, authors may upload a Microsoft Word® file with embedded tables and figures (please note the sequence of the manuscript items below). Should a manuscript be invited for revision or be accepted, final versions of the tables and figures will be required.

Please add page numbers and line numbers to the manuscript document prior to submission.

Authors are strongly advised to consult a recent issue of the Bulletin and follow the style and general layout of articles. All manuscripts should be typed in 12-point typeface and double-spaced.

The sequence of the material should be:

• Title Page
• Abstract
• Text
• Acknowledgments
• Literature Cited
• Tables
• Figure legends
• Figures
• Appendix or supplementary material (if included)

The full title of the manuscript in 20 words or fewer. If applicable, the geographical location of the research should be referenced along with the full name of any particular focal species (authority credited with naming the species usually should not appear as part of the title).

A running title (eight word limit).

Authors’ names directly under the title.

Full addresses should be listed below the author name(s) using numerical superscripts. Indicate corresponding author with an asterisk (*).

Email address(es) for the corresponding author should be set inside angle brackets: bms.editorial@miami.edu

Single paragraph (double spaced) of not more than 250 words. “Portrait of Marine Science” abstracts should not exceed 50 words. Please include abstract for all articles types.

Briefly states the reason for the research and summarizes the significant findings.

Scientific (binomial) names should be written in their entirety at first mention; i.e., Palythoa caribaeorum. Thereafter in the abstract, it is only necessary to abbreviate the species name (i.e., P. caribbaeorum) except when the species name starts a sentence in which case the genus must be spelled out in full (i.e., Palythoa caribaeorum). For manuscripts on the topic of new taxa or taxonomy, the authority credited with naming the species should be included, i.e., Palythoa caribaeorum (Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1860); this is optional for all other manuscript types.

A second-language abstract is accepted for publication but it is not mandatory. This is particularly relevant to research that has been conducted in a nation whose official language is not English and the inclusion of this non-English abstract is intended to widen the readership of the article and its findings. Since the Bulletin is not staffed to edit or proof abstracts in languages other than English, it is the responsibility of the authors to make sure the text of the second abstract matches the content of the English abstract.

Cite all tables and figures in the order in which they are numbered.

Do not abbreviate state, province, or country names.

All scientific (binomial) names written in the text of the manuscript may optionally include the authority credited with naming the species at first mention only. However, if the manuscript topic is on new taxa or taxonomy, the authorities must be included. Throughout the remaining text, it is only necessary to abbreviate the species name (i.e., P. caribaeorum). An exception is when the species name starts a sentence in which case genus must be spelled out in full (i.e., Palythoa caribaeorum).

If there are more than 15 species listed in the manuscript, an alternative is to list species authorities (and common names if applicable) in a table or appendix.

Works in progress (i.e., manuscripts in preparation or review) cannot be cited in the text, and should instead be cited as unpublished data: (J Smith, University of Miami, unpubl data). Works in press may be cited as such in the text and in the Literature Cited as (Smith in press). When referencing unpublished data or a personal communication, include the name and institution of the person being referenced (i.e., J Smith, University of Miami, pers comm).

Common abbreviations and symbols such as %, mm, m, g, ml, mg, ºC, µm, d (day), hr (hour), yr (year), and so forth, should be used. Measurements are to be given in metric units only. Other equivalents may be given in parentheses if necessary. Abbreviate units of measure only when used with numbers (i.e., 45 cm, 14 mg, 30 d, etc.).

Common Latin expressions that are fully absorbed into English (e.g., in situ, ad hoc, per se, de facto, et al.) should not be italicized.

Boldfaced type should only be used when noting a new species (Barnichia crialesae new species). Otherwise, the use of boldfaced, scripted, and underlined text is discouraged.

Please refrain from using the ± sign to denote the standard deviation (SD) or standard error (SE) of an observed mean. Instead indicate clearly whether the standard deviation or standard error is being used. For example “62 (SD 5.4)” or “76.34 (SE 0.05).”

All first and second headings (i.e., Methods, Results, Discussion) should be in small caps. All third headings should be set in italics.

All text should be aligned to the left. Do not double space after each sentence. Do not use tools such as “Track Changes,” and also refrain from inserting text boxes, headers, footers, and any other formatting devices.

Superscripts and subscripts should be used when necessary (i.e., cm² or CO₂).

Numbers one through nine should be spelled out when not associated with units of measure. Thereafter, use number keys (10, 11, 12, etc.).

Place in-text references within parentheses, follow the last name of the author(s) by the year of publication without intervening punctuation.

(Smith 2010)

(Smith and Jones 2005)

(Smith et al. 1996)

When referencing literature within the text of the manuscript use chronological order (i.e., Jones et al. 1979, Smith 1980, Reilly 1981). If years are the same organize alphabetically (i.e., Jones et al. 1979, McManus 1980, Smith et al. 1980). Literature cited within the text must be cited in the Literature Cited section and vice versa.

Include a brief statement recognizing funding agencies, institutions, reviewers, permits, and any contributors to the work not listed in the authorship byline.

The Bulletin of Marine Science uses the Council of Science Editors Scientific Style and Format (8th ed) style (name-year system) for its Literature Cited section. Legal references in text should follow the Bluebook style.

Please refer to a recent issue of the Bulletin of Marine Science (starting with volume 87, older volumes used a different style) or to the Council of Science Editors Scientific Style and Format (8th ed) for guidance on citing literature according to Bulletin standards.

All literature referenced in the text must be included in the Literature Cited section and vice versa.

Authors are responsible for the completion and accuracy of the Literature Cited.

When citing an article, the Author(s). Date. Article title. Journal title. Volume(issue, if present in the document):location. should be included; i.e., Goddard JHR, Love MS. 2010. Megabenthic invertebrates on shell mounds associated with oil and gas platforms off California. Bull Mar Sci. 86(3):533–554. https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2011.1090

All periodical names should be abbreviated. Journal abbreviations should be according to the Council of Science Editors Style Committee’s CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 8th edition. All that JAS: Journal Abbreviation Sources may also be used.

When citing a book, the Author(s)/Editor(s). Date. Title. Edition. Place of publication: Publisher. should be included; i.e., Smith J. 1997. Birds of Florida. 2nd ed. New York: Murphy Publishing.

When citing a specific article or chapter within a book, the format is as follows: Author(s). Date. Article title. In: Editor(s)’ name(s), editors. Book title. Edition. Place of publication: Publisher. Location.

McDaniel TK, Valdivia RH. 2005. New tools for virulence gene discovery. In: Cossart P, Boquet P, Normark S, Rappuoli R, editors. Cellular microbiology. 2nd ed. Washington DC: ASM Press. p. 473–488.

Literature cited should be in alphabetical order. When multiple works are cited by the same author, chronological order (in ascending order) is followed. When the first author is the same but coauthors differ, order the citations alphabetically, then alphabetically by the second authors’ surname. An example is as follows:

Smith A. 1987.

Smith A. 2001.

Smith A, Jones B. 2004.

Smith A, Jones B, Carson C. 2000.

Smith A, Martin G. 2001.

In the Literature Cited, capitalize only proper nouns, and special names of countries or regions of countries, cities or sections of cities, rivers, bays, oceans, mountains, islands, and other geographical names. Do not capitalize or italicize the titles of books, reference volumes, etc. Do not use ampersands (“&”) in citations unless it is part of a title or publishing house name.

Please keep citation of non peer-reviewed material (“gray literature”) to a minimum.

If multiple authors, spell out the first 10, then follow by “et al.” Example:

Maragos J, Miller J, Gove J, DeMartini E, Friedlander A, Godwin S, Musburger C, Timmers M, Tsuda R, Vroom P, et al. 2008.

We strongly encourage limiting the number of references to a ratio of 1:4 (about one page of citations for every four pages of text).

When a digital object identifier (DOI) name is displayed in a reference, it should be preceded with the URL form “https://doi.org/”. For example, the DOI name 10.5343/bms.2011.1090 would appear as https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2011.1090. Note that there is no period at the end of the DOI in a citation. The DOI name should always be the last element in the citation. The Bulletin is a member of CrossRef, therefore, we require the use of DOIs in citations.

Users of EndNote® please download the output style “CSE Style Manual, 8th ed. (Name-Year)” from the EndNote website.

Electronic and Internet sources:

For a complete list of all types of electronic citations please refer to the Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers [Internet]. 2nd edition (2007) available online.

Electronic-journal articles:

Last Name and Initial(s) of Author, [followed by last names and initials of other authors]. Year of Publication. Title of article. Abbreviated Journal Title [medium]; Volume: Inclusive Page Numbers [if available]. Availability Information. Date of Access.

Dahlgren C, Marr J. 2004. Back reef systems: important but overlooked components of tropical marine systems. Bull Mar Sci. [serial online] 75(2):145–152. Available from: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/umrsmas/bullmar/2004/00000075/00000002/art00002 via the Internet. Accessed 14 March, 2005.

Electronic books or monographs:

Last Name and Initial(s) of Author, [followed by last names and initials of other authors]. Year of Publication. Title of monograph [monograph online]. Place of Publication: Publisher; [Update Information, if applicable]. Availability Information. Date of Access.

Databases:

Last Name and Initial(s) of Author, [followed by last names and initials of other authors, if any]. Title of Database. Version. Place of Publication: Publisher. Date of Publication [Date of Update/Revision; Date of Citation].

Entire web pages:

Last Name and Initial(s) of Author; Title of Webpage [Internet]. Place of Publication: Publisher; Date of Publication [Date of Update/Revision, Date of Copyright, Date of Citation]. Available from: (Insert URL)

Bulletin of Marine Science [Internet]. Miami, FL: Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric & Earth Science, University of Miami; c2017, 14 March, 2017. Available from: http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/bms (or rsmas.miami.edu/bms)

Discussion lists:

Author of Message. Title of Message. In: Title of List. [Place of Publication: Publisher]; Date of Publication; [cited (insert citation date)]. Numeration of Message. Available from: Insert URL

Blogs:

Author of Blog. Title of Blog. Type of Medium [Internet]. Place of Publication: Publisher; Date of Publication – [cited (insert citation date)]. Available from: Insert URL

Table and Figure Formatting (for final version submission to BMS after acceptance)

Figures and tables, with their legends and headings, should be self-explanatory and should not require reference to the text. Species names should not be abbreviated in either figure or table legends.

Figures should be clear and legible, with 1-inch margins. The dimensions and the thickness of the individual lines, spaces, and letters may also be reduced proportionally.

Each table and figure should start on a separate page. Consistency in headings and format is desirable. Vertical rules or horizontal gridlines should be avoided.

Only Excel® spreadsheets and Word® tables are accepted. When using Word, insert a table by using the “Table” menu. Do not use tabs or spaces to separate columns. Do not submit tables as image files. Do not add extra spaces in rows within or between table columns. Spaces prevent proper column alignment and require reformatting during typesetting. Do not break up tables as continuation pages (i.e., Table 1 continued).

If a table is large, and consists of numerous pages, the number of columns must be the same for all rows even if cells are blank.

There should be no shading, boldfacing, underlining, or box-line formatting in tables.

Brief table legends should be included immediately above each table.

Bulletin of Marine Science accepts EPS, TIFF, JPG, and high resolution PDF images only (consider using the predefined “Press Quality” Adobe PDF preset in Acrobat’s “File” menu. This preset contains flattener settings appropriate for complex figures intended for high-resolution output).

Please make sure each figure is properly labeled before submission (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).

The resolution for final figures must be 360 dpi.

Size your images: 29 picas (12.28 cm, 4.833 inches) maximum width for portrait images, 42 picas (17.78 cm, 7 inches) maximum width for landscape images.

All lines must be at least 0.5 point. Avoid the use of very small print, fine lines (hairlines) or very light stippling — these fade or disappear during final printing, or in the case of text, become unreadable.

Remove gridlines from all figures.

If a figure has shading or texture, it should be saved as a TIFF file to insure the patterns and shading are maintained.

If a figure is divided into parts, denote the figure panels/sections with capital-case letters (A, B, C, etc.). All tables and figures pertaining to a manuscript published in the Bulletin appear in text with capital letters as Fig. 1A, Figure 2C, etc. (not Fig. 1a, Fig. 2c).

Choose fonts for their readability (Helvetica, Times, Arial are good examples). Font size should not be less than 8 point in the final layout size.

Figures with errors will either be returned or printed with the errors. The Bulletin does not redraw or modify figures. Please proof carefully.

Figure legends must not be included on the figure. All figure legends should be included separately, in the text following the Literature Cited and tables.

Important! Avoid these common errors when submitting your figures:

1. Format: Bulletin of Marine Science accepts EPS, TIFF, JPG, and high resolution PDF images only (consider using the predefined “Press Quality” Adobe PDF preset. This preset contains flattener settings appropriate for complex figures intended for high-resolution output). Refrain from submitting electronic images in Word or any other word processing application.
2. Resolution and size: The resolution must be 360 dpi. At this resolution all figures must be sized to fit within the printed page dimensions of 19.4 × 12.5 cm.
3. Use of fine lines and/or small print: All lines must be at least 0.5 point. Avoid the use of very small print, fine lines (hairlines) or very light stippling — these fade or disappear during final printing, or in the case of text, become unreadable.

“FastTrack” Publication:

The Bulletin of Marine Science is dedicated to ensuring authors’ research is available as soon as possible. As part of our service to authors, we will host a version of accepted manuscripts (as submitted) on the “FastTrack” section of BMS Online. When the final article is available (following the galley proof process, see below), this FastTrack article will be removed and the final version will replace it. The date the article was first made available online will be carried over, but the year of publication will correspond to the volume/issue of inclusion.

Proofs:

After posting the manuscript in FastTrack, the text will be copy-edited and typeset for publication, and a PDF galley will be sent to the author via email for final proof reading and approval. After the galley proof is returned to BMS, this final version will replace the early accepted (but unedited) version of the paper. Please check your proofs carefully. The author will be responsible for any errors that appear in the final printed version.

Formatting questions?

Contact the Managing Editor, Rafael J Araújo, at raraujo@miami.edu