Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Research, Conservation, Education

Home → Publications → Herpetological Review

Herpetological Review

AIMS AND SCOPE: Herpetological Review (HR) is a quarterly publication of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Published in English, this journal features scientific articles and notes concerning the study of amphibians and reptiles, such as contributions focused on natural history, geographic distribution, behavior, conservation, and methodological techniques concerning amphibians and reptiles worldwide, as well as book reviews, commentaries, regional and international herpetological society news, obituaries, and letters from readers directed to the field of herpetology. Published articles and notes span a wide range of subjects, including field-based and experimental studies. Articles reporting descriptions of new taxa or taxonomic revisions are not published in HR, and instead should be submitted to the Journal of Herpetology. All submitted articles and notes need to follow necessary ethical and legal permits/permissions. Please consult SSAR’s Ethics Statement prior to submitting manuscripts to HR.

HR issues from 1967–2020 and all Natural History Notes, Geographic Distribution Notes, and other select sections are available Open Access and provided as PDF downloads at https://ssarherps.org/herpetological-review-pdfs/. Complete issues from the last five years are available to SSAR members. There is also a link to a downloadable EndNote library of HR references.

PUBLICATION TYPES: HR publishes a wide range of articles and notes. Description and information on each of these sections are shown below. Complete contact information for all HR staff can be found online:

  • Articles: The Articles section of HR contains standard manuscript length and style submissions that cover any number of topics that are of broad interest to the herpetological community. Articles typically focus on applied, observational, and informational content and contrast with short notes published under other sections (e.g., Natural History Notes). Manuscripts centered on extensive statistical modeling or experimental design are usually more appropriate for Journal of Herpetology. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Techniques: The Techniques section provides a venue for the description and evaluation of practical methods used in the study, monitoring, handling, and management of amphibians and reptiles. This section emphasizes applied innovations that improve field efficiency, data quality, animal welfare, or safety. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Diseases: The Diseases section publishes articles documenting a wide variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases affecting amphibians and reptiles. This section emphasizes concise, well-documented case reports and field observations that contribute to understanding wildlife health and emerging disease threats. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Herpetological Nomenclature: This section includes articles related to the discussion and clarification of taxonomic and nomenclatural issues in herpetology. This section provides a formal venue for documenting changes, corrections, and updates in the scientific naming of amphibians and reptiles. Articles reporting descriptions of new taxa or taxonomic revisions are not published in HR, and instead should be submitted to the Journal of Herpetology. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Herpetological History: This section publishes submissions related historical perspectives, biographies, and retrospectives relevant to the study of amphibians and reptiles. This section also includes submissions on the intellectual and cultural heritage of herpetology. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Points of View: The Points of View section provides a forum for thoughtful commentary and professional perspective on issues affecting the herpetological community. Unlike data-centered notes or technical reports, Points of View contributions emphasize analysis, interpretation, and informed opinion. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Letters to the Editor: The Letters to the Editor section is a forum that allows readers to respond to previously published material, raise issues of concern, clarify interpretations, or contribute brief commentary of broad relevance to the journal’s audience. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Herpetoculture: This section offers a publication outlet for manuscripts involving amphibians and reptiles in a captive environment—public or private. Subjects appropriate for this section include but are not restricted to the following: novel techniques for maintenance and reproduction of live herpetofauna; genetic management of captive populations; legal issues in herpetoculture and animal trade; reviews of tools, equipment, technology, enclosures, etc.; and safety protocols for working with dangerous species. Manuscripts that deal exclusively with veterinary medical subjects generally are not appropriate for this section. Please consult Herpetoculture Section Editors with questions. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Geographic Distribution: This section publishes new county, state/province, or country records of amphibians and reptiles, as well as biologically significant range extensions (e.g., new mountain range or drainage reports). Reports of non-native species are also accepted, however, they should document an established population (vs. a single individual). Because accurate distributional data are foundational to ecology, conservation, systematics, and biogeography, even single, well-documented locality records can be of lasting scientific value. Submissions in this section are submitted as individual records, or as longer, batch notes. See author instructions document linked below.
  • Natural History Notes: These are short notes detailing observations of behavior, diet, reproduction, habitat use, or other ecological information. Observations should originate from the field, or field-collected specimens, not from observations made while animals are in captivity (captive observations should be submitted to the Herpetoculture section). See author instructions document linked below.
  • Book Reviews: This section highlights new literature relevant to amphibians and reptiles. This section serves as an important informational resource for researchers, educators, students, and natural resource professionals. Please contact the Book Reviews Section Editor to express interest in writing a review.
  • Zoo View: The Zoo View section publishes short articles often focusing on amphibians and reptiles maintained in zoological parks, aquariums, and other managed-care institutions. This section provides a forum for sharing history, philosophical, and managerial perspectives rather than sharing data concerning captive husbandry, care, and reproduction (which are published under the Herpetoculture section).
  • Art in Herpetology: This section highlights a particular artist and their herpetological art and consists of an artist’s biography. Individuals can nominate a future artist by emailing the Art in Herpetology Section Editor.
  • Back Matter: This section contains several subsections, including SSAR Business, Herpetological Musings, Newsnotes, Meetings, Obituaries, and Current Research. These articles are not formal submissions that most will submit to. If you believe you have a submission that is appropriate here, please contact the HR Co-Editors. To express interest in publishing an obituary, please contact the Obituaries Section Editors.

FORMATTING: Instructions for formatting submissions to HR are available at the links below, separated by section:

  • Standard-length manuscripts author instructions (includes Articles, Techniques, Herpetological Nomenclature, Herpetological History, Points of View, and Letters to the Editor) (updated April 2026)
  • Diseases author instructions (updated April 2026)
  • Herpetoculture author instructions (updated April 2026)
  • Geographic Distribution author instructions (updated March 2026)
  • Natural History Notes author instructions (updated March 2026)

SUBMISSION: Information on the submission process is described below. All submissions undergo peer-review and editorial screening prior to acceptance and publishing.

Currently, standard-length manuscripts, including Articles, Techniques, Herpetological Nomenclature, Herpetological History, Points of View, and Letters to the Editor should be submitted via Scholastica: https://herpetologicalreview.scholasticahq.com/ (as of 16 February 2026). Previously submitted manuscripts and manuscripts under revision will continue to be handled via e-mail correspondence with the Associate Editor until a final decision has been returned.

Please direct Diseases submissions to Jenna Palmisano (jenna.palmisano@ucf.edu).

Please direct Herpetoculture submissions to the Section Editors (listed below).

Please direct Geographic Distribution submissions to the appropriate Section Editor by geographic region (listed below).

Please direct Natural History Notes submissions to the appropriate Section Editor by taxonomic group (listed below).

Please direct Book Reviews submissions to the Section Editor (listed below).

Please direct Back Matter submissions to the HR Co-Editors (listed below).

In the future, the submission of additional HR sections will be directed through Scholastica, and guidance documents will be updated when this occurs.

GRAPHIC MATERIALS/FIGURES: Illustrative material (e.g., photographs, figures) should be sent with initial manuscript submissions as low-resolution digital files (as PDFs, JPEGs, or TIFs) or imbedded as figures within the manuscript text file. If your manuscript is accepted for publication, you will be asked to send these materials electronically in a high-resolution format. HR is now published in full color, and there are no page or color charges for authors. Therefore, authors encouraged to prepare figures in color as appropriate.

COVER IMAGES: HR accepts submissions of high-quality, impactful images for consideration as cover images. All submissions or questions should be directed to the HR Co-Editors. Photographs should:

  • be technically superior photographs (e.g., composition, lighting, etc., should be excellent; subject must be in focus)
  • be taken in vertical format, or, if in landscape format, permit cropping to achieve a vertical orientation (2550 × 3300 ppi)
  • have native resolution must be sufficiently high to permit cropping and/or enlargement to print publication quality
  • preference will be given to images that depict poorly known species, which includes recently described taxa or species for which a color illustration has never been published
  • preference will be given to images that communicate some aspect of the biology of the organism (e.g., predation, feeding, courtship, crypsis)
  • images should not have been published previously nor concurrently submitted for publication elsewhere (print or electronic media) 

ADVERTISING: HR accepts commercial advertising. For rates and ad submission details, please see our Ad Rate Sheet.

COPYRIGHT: The copyright is held by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Permission must be obtained for reproduction of published material by contacting the Co-Editors.

REPRINTS: High-resolution electronic (PDF) reprints of articles are provided at no charge to the primary/corresponding author as a benefit of publishing.

MISSING OR DAMAGED ISSUES: If your issue of HR is missing or if the issue arrived in damaged condition, please e-mail Christy Classi (cclassi@ssarherps.org) for a replacement.

HERPETOLOGICAL REVIEW STAFF

Co-Editors:

Managing Editor:

Associate Editors:

Section Editors:

Index Editor:

  • Larry Kamees

Taxonomic Index Editor:

  • Paul Freed

Copy Editors:

  • Benjamin W. Genter
  • Craig Hassapakis
  • Nocholas Kowal
  • Peter S. Miller
  • Caden J. Myers
  • Emma R. Schwager
  • Vicki Thill

updated March 2026

SSAR Sitemap

Privacy Policy