Journal of Animal Ecology publishes the best animal ecology research that develops, tests and advances broad ecological principles.

It is our aim to publish articles detailing novel and important work that will challenge the way animal ecologists think. We encourage submission of papers that (i) make significant advances to the field of study in terms of development of ecological theory or methodology; (ii) address questions of general importance and/or current interest; and (iii) generate ecological insights that extend beyond the study system utilised. Papers that do not meet these criteria are likely to be deemed inappropriate and returned without review.

Similarly, we are unable to consider manuscripts in which the central focus is the ecology, behaviour or life history of a single species; an association between an environmental factor and variation in a demographic rate, life history trait or the population growth rate of a single species; or a problem of primarily local interest.