Taylor & Francis

Prepare your manuscript for Monographs of the Palaeontographical Society.

Review the checklist, choose your article type, and turn your draft into a cleaner submission package.

Checked 2026-08-02

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Article types

Review

Editorial

Lectio

Clinical Trial

Protocol

Letter

Systematic Review

Readiness requirements

Review the key details below, or download the complete checklist with every stored source-backed requirement.

Abstract length

Monograph typescripts should include: abstract with French, german, and russian translations.

Reference style

Articlo formats your supplied references in Harvard style and checks that citations match the reference list; source validity is not verified.
The typescript should be produced to iso a4 page size (297 mm × 210 mm), double spaced throughout (including references, plate, and text-figure explanations, etc.), ideally prepared in Microsoft word (docx), odf text document (odt), or a similar editable file type.

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Full citation of names should follow the convention: authors of original names are included without parentheses after the taxon name followed by the year, separated with a comma, e.g. Ichthyosaurus König, 1818; portunites incertus bell, 1858.
Phylogenetic clade names may or may not be prefaced with “clade”; citation of definitional and emending authors should follow phylocode article 20, see for example the monograph of moon & kirton (2016, publ).
Monograph typescripts should include: references.
As a work of reference, a monograph requires an index that should be of maximum use.
Page references will be repeated in both entries; pages containing text-figures should be listed in italics.
Initially use parentheses (, ) to enclose secondary text then brackets [, ] for tertiary level or citations within (e.g. Like this [or this]); do not use braces {, }.
Use three em dashes for repeated authors in the bibliography, i.e. ———.
Avoid references to pages elsewhere in the monograph where possible since they must be inserted in page proof: ‘above’ or ‘below’ may be adequate.
Authors should also take particular care in formatting their references, to save much intricate correction at a later stage.
Use author-year citations surrounded by parentheses.
Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their text and should carefully check all details such as references, cross-references, plate explanations, citations, and synonymies.
A declaration must be included within the submission stating: Confirmation the authors take full responsibility for the integrity of the whole content, including accuracy of references.

Figure and table rules

Keep every figure and table numbered, captioned, and cited in the manuscript. Keep figures embedded; Articlo also extracts numbered source files for the package.
Group figures at the end of the manuscript.

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Group tables at the end of the manuscript.
Use commas for two consecutive figures or parts but an en dash for a larger range: figs 1a, b not figs 1a–b but 1a–c, 1a–d, 2–4 etc.
Use figures for measurements, e.g. Septa number 5 in 10 mm; a 2 m thick bed.
The maximum area of plate illustration is 180 mm × 230 mm (4252 px × 5433 px at 600 dpi); make the fullest use of this space.
Submit line illustration text-figures at production size in vector format pdf files or as 1200 dpi tiff image files.
The maximum printed size of a text-figure is 158 mm × 215 mm (7465 px × 10157 px at 1200 dots per inch [dpi]): folding text-figures and tables will not normally be considered.
Text-figures, tables, and plates should be uploaded as separate files.
Monograph typescripts should include: descriptions of text-figures, tables, and plates (in that order).
Use text-figures to illustrate complex stratigraphy and stratigraphical correlation.
Any innovations should be defined in the introductory text, preferably with recourse to a text-figure in the case of morphological terms.
Explanations of all text-figures and tables should be brought together at the end of the typescript and followed by an explanation of the plates.
Very large text-figures should be drafted to occupy two facing pages.
Tables should generally be typeset and included in the run of the typescript; clear alignment and adequate spacing of the original is necessary.
Include all shown abbreviations within each caption.
Please submit a proposed title, together with a brief statement of the scope of the work, the approximate number of taxa, and an estimate of the number of typescript pages, plates, and text-figures, including the proportion to be devoted to non-British material.
Large numbers should be in figures.
The maximum amount of information should be included for each figure on a plate; some of this may be grouped conveniently as centred headings, under which several figures may be listed.
Add figure numbers (on plates) and letters (lowercase on text-figures) in arial, helvetica, or liberation sans (or similar) at 9-point font size.

Funding statement

You should declare only the acquired funds and grants that are directly relevant to the work reported in your article; for example, This work was supported by the [Funding Agency #1] under Grant [number xxxx]; [Funding Agency #2] under Grant [number xxxx]; and [Funding Agency #3] under Grant [number xxxx].

Competing interests

Include or confirm the competing interests required by the journal. Articlo checks this item and flags anything that still needs author input.

Ethics statement

Include or confirm the ethics statement required by the journal. Articlo checks this item and flags anything that still needs author input.

Cover letter

Include or confirm the cover letter required by the journal. Articlo checks this item and flags anything that still needs author input.

Article structure and word limits

Use full specimen numbers and ranges with mda codes, e.g. Nhmuk r1123–1234, brsmg ce16696.
Write 7 July 2021 in full; do not use st, nd, rd, th for ordinal numbers.

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Do not raise decimal points: use 1.5, not 1·5.
Use % not per cent, without a separating space: 57%.
Use numerals where a range of characters or specific dimensions is given: e.g. 6–8 tubercles ( not 6 to 8).
Personal communications should be spelt in full followed by the date, e.g. Personal communication to sk on 28 june 2021.
Letter: Lettering must be clear: the smallest letters should be at least 1 mm (3 pt) in height.
Submission of monographs Authors intending to write a monograph should contact one of the editors, Lucy McCobb (lucy.mccobb@museumwales.ac.uk) and Susan Beardmore (susanbeardmore10@gmail.com), for consideration by the council of the society.
Authors should follow the general principles set out in the international stratigraphic guide, second edition (salvador, a. [ed.] 1994; abridged version available online, murphy, m).
Use an en dash for ranges, e.g. 1–8.
These instructions will ensure we have everything required so your paper can move through peer review, production and publication smoothly.
Authors must study these notes and follow their guidance when preparing typescripts.
Where the author chooses to restrict the subject stratigraphically, two points especially should be borne in mind.
Second, the stratigraphy should be treated as background to the palaeontology.
Separating into a series of parts should strongly be considered for monographs that exceed this.
Corrected proofs must be returned to the editor as quickly as possible.
Monograph typescripts should include: contents.
Monograph typescripts should include: acknowledgements.
Monograph typescripts should include: history of research.
Monograph typescripts should include: stratigraphy.
Monograph typescripts should include: localities.
Monograph typescripts should include: morphology, terminology, techniques, measurements.
Monograph typescripts should include: systematic descriptions.
Monograph typescripts should include: author's name and address.
Monograph typescripts should include: index (for one-part monographs or concluding parts).
This should be as short as possible, identifying the fossil group and, if necessary, the geographical and stratigraphical limits of the work.
Foreign institutions should be given their correct title (not translated).
Provide a list of terms to be included; page numbers will be added at proof stage.
Disparaging remarks may be libellous, and, even if true, should be avoided.
Include open nomenclature terms before the name to which it refers in upright font, e.g. Ichthyosaurus cf.
Specimens must be accessioned in a recognized public institution.
Any deviations from this should be explained.
Use –ize endings but analyse, compromise, surmise etc.
Do not use in words such as subquadrate, semi-circular, coeval.
Include a comma or semicolon before the final item (‘oxford comma’).
If used, three-digit bearings should be in degrees clockwise from north.
Foreign place names in languages that use the Latin alphabet should be as officially recognized in the country of origin.
For languages with non-Latin alphabets, names must be transliterated using up-to-date British standards.
Use initials separated by a point and space: d.
Use single quotes for unorthodox words or usages, e.g. ‘gingerbread rock’, ‘the Dudley insect’.
Use an initial capital followed by small capitals for each author’s names (see examples below).
Capitals should, however, be used appropriately in those languages that capitalize common nouns.
Unpublished theses should not be referred to unless it is essential.
Again, authors should check format details closely to show the structure clearly in editing and proofing.
This should be centred, with each taxon on a separate line.
Higher taxon names should be followed by the author and publication year, “tax.
To this end, richter symbols should be used, as in the imaginary example below (see matthews, s).
Note that, to be available, newly named taxa covered under the international code of zoological nomenclature require registration in zoobank.
A declaration must be included within the submission stating: Originality and accuracy of content has been confirmed by the authors.
Authors must provide full methodological details and adhere to relevant reporting guidelines where applicable.
Authors must retain the original and revised versions which must be shared upon request.
The PLSP guidelines for authors must be followed at all times.
All specimens described (whether type, figured, or described in the text) must be deposited in a recognized public institution (accredited museum or university collection).
Applicants should contact the secretary.
Monograph typescripts should include: title.
Use mda codes or accepted initialisms.
These should be avoided.
Use capitals and lowercase, right aligned.
Disagreements with the scientific findings of another author should always be indicated courteously, without implying a lack of professional competence, and worded in a carefully balanced way.
The mandatory provisions of the current editions of the international code of zoological nomenclature (iczn) and the international code of nomenclature (formerly icbn) must be followed.
Formal terms such as system, series, and biozone should have an initial capital letter in singular form but lowercase in plural form, e.g. Jurassic system but Jurassic and cretaceous systems.
Use chronostratigraphical (stage, series, system, erathem; lower, middle, upper; referring to depositional groups) or geochronological terms (age, epoch, period, era; earlier, middle, later; referring to events) as related to context.
Include both forms in the index.
Use metric iso units.
If two or more of an author’s papers are listed for one year they should be in chronological order and distinguished by a lowercase letter following the date: 1995a, 1995b, etc.
Online pdfs may contain full colour images, but print production is typically in greyscale; including printed colour images should be discussed in advance with the editors.
Single issues usually do not exceed 150 published pages (approx).
Once the title has been accepted, authors should prepare their monograph following the notes below (if the monograph is a new title) or conform to the style of previous parts (if the submission is part of an ongoing monograph).
Stratigraphically limited monographs are not to be confused with well-illustrated accounts of the stratigraphy of an area.
Keep the typescript well-spaced, as this makes it much easier to revise.
Keep these as short as possible, e.g. Write ‘i thank’ not ‘i would like to thank’.
Typescripts that do not meet the standards of consistency of the society’s publications will be promptly returned for revision.
Followed by a full stop: pl., fig., tr., loc., e.g., aff., etc. Do not abbreviate the first word in a sentence.
Do not italicize part or chapter numbers, e.g. Treatise on invertebrate palaeontology, part e.
Place punctuation inside parentheses where the whole sentence is enclosed, but outside for partial statements.
No points in uk, gb, usa etc. Do not abbreviate the first word in a sentence.
Image Descriptions This journal requires image descriptions (alternative text, alt text), to be provided for all images conveying information necessary for an understanding of your work.
Image descriptions are typically used by systems such as pronouncing screen readers to make images accessible to people that cannot read or see the object due to a visual disability.

Reporting guidelines

Include or confirm the reporting guidelines required by the journal. Articlo checks this item and flags anything that still needs author input.

Artificial intelligence disclosure

Add or confirm the author-written Artificial intelligence statement; Articlo flags it if author input is still needed.
Please include a statement disclosing whether and how generative AI has been used in the research and manuscript preparation process.

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Use of AI tools as part of ethical research studies is permitted.
A declaration must be included within the submission stating: The name and version number of the AI tool used.
Systematic Review: Use of AI tools as part of ethically conducted literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analysis and bibliometrics studies is permitted.
Use of AI tool assisted plain language summaries (PLS) of authors own work is permitted.
Please read our guidance on using AI tools in your research and manuscript preparation to understand scenarios where their use may be permissible, and the required information that must be disclosed.
A declaration must be included within the submission stating: Confirmation the authors have checked terms of use for the specific AI tool used, and therefore confirm suitability for publication.

Manuscript structure

Any problems should be brought forward at an early stage for discussion with the editors.
Typescripts should be submitted as Microsoft word or similar editable document including the text sections listed below, as relevant.

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Monograph typescripts should include: introduction.
Monograph typescripts should include: faunal and stratigraphical conclusions (if appropriate).
List full contents for single-part monographs and the final part of a multi-part monograph; previous parts should list only those sections in that part.
For both types of index, all generic and specific names should be entered, including those from synonymy entries and in remarks and discussion sections.
Use for compound words and phrases, e.g. State-of-the-art, cross-section.
Systematic descriptions The style of this section must follow that of the examples given below.
The synonymy should describe the history of nomenclature of the taxon; suitably annotated, much discussion can be avoided.
Use a thick horizontal line above the heading row and below the final row; a thinner horizontal line is used below the heading row.
Authors must retain full records of the methods undertaken, including full descriptions and records of the prompts used, which must be shared with the journal upon request.
Do not underline the specific heading, which is printed in bold type.

Study reporting guidelines

Authors must provide full methodological details and adhere to relevant reporting guidelines where applicable (e.g. CONSORT-AI, STARD-AI, GAMER, TRIPOD-AI, etc).
First, in any consequent geographical restriction of the work, particular care should be taken to ensure that the work complements and does not duplicate other similar monographic works: there should be clear evidence that the author is familiar with material from the same stratigraphical horizon in other areas of Britain.

Language and text style

Monograph typescripts should include: museum and other abbreviations.
Where it is appropriate to thank the curators of museum collections for lending material in their care, information required in museum abbreviations may be included here.

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These should be listed separately in alphabetical order of the abbreviation.
For clarity, the next word should not be a fossil name or other word to be set in italics.
Generic and specific names (in italics) should be entered in both the “ aus bus ” and “ bus, aus ” forms.
Use single quotes around uncertain taxa, i.e. ‘clathrodictyon’ not “clathrodictyon”, in italics if around generic or species names.
Monograph style Above all, the detailed consistency of style, spelling and arrangement of the typescript is a matter to which authors should attend.
Generally accepted British english spelling and style should be used; consistency is important.
Use the spelling on current editions of ordnance survey maps and refer to a county or district at first mention.
Extensive quotation should generally be avoided but indicate quotation of full passages by a spaced inset paragraph like this one.
There should be space above and below the quoted paragraph and accompany it with a clear quotation source.
Journal names and book titles should be given in full title case and set in italics.
Places of publication should be quoted in the modern English form; older non-english forms may be given in brackets.
Use italic punctuation where part of a longer italic phrase, for example book titles or tertiary headings.
Use the following (not in italics) with fossil names: gen.

Authorship and originality

The authorship of generic and specific names should be given at least once in a monograph, usually at the first mention.
Use the ampersand (&) in the case of joint authorship.

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What your package checks

References: Harvard

Declarations: Acknowledgements, Artificial intelligence

Format: double spacing

Source transparency

This preparation guide uses published journal-specific author requirements. Journal instructions can change, so authors should complete a final review before submission.

Open official guideline source