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Full Paper Manuscript Guidelines

Manuscripts should be typewritten, double-spaced, on A4-sized paper (8.2″ x 11.7″), with 2.5cm (1in) margins all around using 12-point Times New Roman font.
Indent (0.5in) the first line of each paragraph. Justify text between margins. Capitalize and center major headings. Type second order headings in bold, left bound. Use hanging indention (0.5in) for the literature cited.
All text must be concise and consistent (e.g. spelling, abbreviations, etc.) with all pages numbered consecutively. Arrange the text following these major headings: Title page, Abstract, Key words, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion (includes conclusions and recommendations), Acknowledgements, Literature Cited, Tables, Figures, and Plates (if applicable).
The title page should have the title, short running title, list of authors’ names, authors’ affiliations, telephone and fax number and/or e-mail address of the corresponding author.
The complete scientific name (genus, species and authority) should be cited for every organism when first mentioned. Subsequently, the generic name should be abbreviated to the initial except where intervening references to other genera would cause confusion. Latin names should be typed in italic script or underlined.
Author(s) are required to use the International System of Units (SI) for exact measures of physical quantities. Do not use space between numbers and units, e.g. 10g, 15%, 25mm, 120cm, 120ml. Be consistent in the number of decimals used. The numbers one to ten should be spelled out if not followed by a unit. For numbers higher than ten, numerals should be used. All numbers should be spelled out if it is used at the start of a sentence.
Tables, Plates and Figures. In preparing tables, plates (all photographs) and figures (illustrations, graphs, diagrams), consider the journals printed page of 18.0 x 26.0cm and the necessary reduction. Place all tables, figures and plates at the end of the manuscript. Start with the tables, followed by figures and plates.
Each table, as well as computerized figures and plates should be placed on a separate page, numbered with Arabic numerals, and accompanied by a title and explanation caption at the top. Full details should be given so that the table/figure/plate can be understood without reference to the text. Type legends left bound, bold, justified. In the captions, spell the words figure, table and plate out [e.g. Figure 1: Increase in weight from January to December 2004]. Abbreviate the words table and figure when referred to in the manuscript [e.g. Animals grew much faster in the first half of the year (Fig. 1)].
Data must not be presented in both tabular and graphical form.
Original (none-computerized) figures such as hand-drawn illustrations, graphs or diagrams, should be numbered consecutively and submitted on separate sheets.
Type legends of original figures or plates on a separate page.
Photographs (plates) should be submitted in jpg format. They should be of good contrast and well matched for tonal range. Arrows, letters and numbers should be inserted. Micrographs should have an internal calibration bar and the magnification should be mounted together in the form of not numerically but economically arranged layouts.
Citation and Literature Cited. The Literature Cited should consist of articles published in current content-covered or peer-reviewed journals. Citations of unpublished reports and theses should be minimized. Articles “in press” may be cited but those “submitted” or “in preparation” should not be included.
Personal communication should only be in the text but not be in the list of literature cited. The citation should provide the full name of the person, year of communication, affiliation, e.g. Dr. Filipina Sotto, 2005, University of San Carlos, Cebu).
Arrange citations in the text by authors and year. Use comma between author and year, and semicolon between a series of citations. E.g. Lee (1996a, 1996b) or (Kim, 1994; Boo and Lee, 1995; Kim et al., 1996).
The list of Literature Cited should be in alphabetical order according to the first author. When more than one paper has the same first author, the arrangement should be made as follows:
- Single author — Chronological order
- Two authors — Alphabetical order according to the second author, then chronologically
- Three or more authors — Chronological order
First name initials are placed after the last name and separated by a comma except for the last author. The initials of the last author should be placed before the last name. Do not use space between first name initials [e.g. Hendler, G., Miller, J.E., Pawson, D.L. and P.M. Kier].
Follow the standard form of citation as below:
- Journal Article. All titles of journals are either abbreviated or spell out following international standards (accessible through internet). Author(s), year. Title of article (capitalize only names and places). Journal title, Volume number (issue number): inclusive pages.
  - Brown, R.M., Diesmos, A.C. and A.C. Alcala, 2001. The state of Philippine herpetology and the challenges for the next decade. Silliman Journal, 42(1): 18–87.
  - Goulet, T.L. and M.A. Coffroth, 2004. The genetic identity of dinoflagellate symbionts in Caribbean octocorals. Coral Reefs, 23: 465–472.
- Books. Author(s) or Editor(s), year. Title of book (capitalize). Publisher, place of publication, total page number.
  - Alcala, A.C. and W.C. Brown, 1998. Philippine Amphibians: An illustrated Field Guide. Bookmark, Inc., Makati City, 116 pp.
  - Hendler, G., Miller, J.E., Pawson, D.L. and P.M. Kier, 1995. Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, and Allies. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London, 390 pp.
  - Zug, G.R., Vitt, L.J. and J.P. Caldwell, 2001. Herpetology. An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles. 2nd Edition. Academic Press, California, 630 pp.
- Chapter in book. Author(s) of chapter, year. Title of chapter. In: Editor(s) of book. Title of book (capitalize). Publisher, place of publication, inclusive pages of chapter.
  - Kain, J.M. and T.A. Norton, 1990. Marine ecology. In: Cole, K.M. and R.G. Sheath (eds.). Biology of Red Algae. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 337–422.
  - Wolff, W.J., 1983. Estuarine benthos. In: Ketchum, B.H. (ed.). Ecosystems of the World 26: Estuaries and Enclosed Seas. Section I: Estuaries. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam, p. 51–182.
- Paper in proceedings. Author(s) of paper, year. Title of paper. In: Editor(s) of proceedings. Title of publication or name of conference or both, inclusive dates, place of conference. Publisher, place of publication, inclusive pages of paper.
  - Compton, J., 2000. An overview of Asian turtle trade. In: van Dijk, P.P., Stuart, B.L. and A.G.J. Rhodin (eds.). Asian Turtle Trade: Proceedings of a Workshop on Conservation and Trade of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises in Asia. Chelonian Research Monographs, 2: 24–29.
  - Hamel, J.-F. and A. Mercier, 2001. Cuvierian tubules in tropical holothurians: Usefulness and efficiency as a defense mechanism. In: Barker, M. (ed.). Echinoderms 2000. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference, Dunedin, 31 January – 4 February 2000. A.A. Balkema Publishers, Rotterdam, p. 351.
  - Lee, S.Y., 1993. Leaf choice of sesarmine crabs, Chiromanthes bidens and C. maipoensis, in a Hong Kong mangal. In: Morton, B. (ed.). The Marine Biology of the South China Sea, Hong Kong University Press, 2: 597–603.
- Thesis or dissertation. Author, year of degree. Title. Type of degree, Institution granting the degree, Location of Institution, total page number.
  - Dolorosa, R.G., 2005. Biology of three species of mangrove-associated porcellanid crabs (Porcellanidae: Petrolisthes) in Puerto Princesa Bay, Palawan, Philippines. MS thesis in Marine Biology, Graduate School, Western Philippines University, Aborlan, Palawan, Philippines, 111 pp.
  - Matillano, J.D., 2003. The ichthyofauna of Lake Manguao, Taytay, Palawan, Philippines. BS thesis in Aquatic Biology, State Polytechnic College of Palawan–Puerto Princesa Campus, Palawan, Philippines, 82 pp.