EDITORIAL
2014 | VOLUME 30 | PAGES 2-3
Alytes: metamorphosing to embrace new challenges in
times of change
Franco Andreone1, Gonçalo M. Rosa2,3,4*
2.
1.
Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti, 36, I-10123 Torino, Italy
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK
3.
Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
4.
Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Bloco C2, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
Most amphibians undergo significant developmental changes as they develop from aquatic larvae to adults.
These alterations, known as “metamorphosis”, are often accompained by a change of habitat and/or behaviour, ultimately
promoting survival (Fox, 1984). The reader may also notice changes occurring in Alytes, namely in the present issue.
Alytes has remained untouched for many years, but as with amphibians, it has undergone a transformation in format and
contents, in order to adapt to a changing environment.
In the world of herpetological publishing, it is difficult to be more focused than Alytes is in its breadth. In fact, the
International Journal of Batrachology (the operative subtitle for Alytes) is the only scientific journal has been exclusively
publishing scientific amphibian related manuscripts since 1982. This long-lived tradition was achieved through the creation and support of the International Society for the Study and Conservation of Amphibians (ISSCA), which has been
publishing Alytes as hard copy for those who pay for the privilege of reading about the latest important findings in the
field of amphibian science.
The increase in the number of journals dealing with different aspects of biology and conservation (including
those related to amphibians) has resulted in increased competition for contributions (Rosa et al., 2013). On the other
hand, electronic submission, distribution, and open access to the contents have radically changed the scientific research
publishing system, providing novel ways that maximize research impact. More than ever, articles are becoming easier
and faster to find, are accessible anywhere at any time, extending this way the reach of research beyond its immediate
academic circle (Hardisty et al., 2008). Lastly, as shown by Eysenbach (2006), manuscripts published with immediate
open access are more likely to be cited than non-open access papers. Embracing these developments have resulted in
the Alytes “metamorphosis” that, ultimately, will lead to free and unrestricted access to the online contents, including the
whole database of papers published since the launch of the journal in February 1982.
As a non-profit scholarly journal, Alytes is striving to adapt to the new demands of the scientific community. After renewing the editorial board, Alytes established a joint collaboration with the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group
(ASG) and Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) (Andreone & Lewis, 2012). This synergy is actively seeking innovative
approaches in terms of publishing as well as improved appeal and visibility, in order to accelerate research and conservation efforts focused on amphibians.
Thus, while embracing new technologies and ways of dissemination, the journal is also looking to maintain a
strong connection with its tradition and history. This will be marked by the adoption of a larger format that, hopefully, will
modernise the look of the journal whilst retaining the typical features of the former format. This will allow the journal to
remain easily recognisable for those who have actively followed Alytes over the last decades.
Given this context and a long-standing heritage, Alytes will continue to be an ideal place to publish papers on
all aspects of amphibian biology. Moreover, taxonomy and systematics have been identifiable landmarks of Alytes and,
consequently, the journal intends to maintain this tradition and welcome new papers on these topics.
In recent years and after the compilation of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (Gascon et al., 2007), amphibians have become model organisms for conservation science. This has led to the development of initiatives around the
*Corresponding author
Published Online 31 January 2014
© ISSCA and authors 2014
[email protected]
ALYTES 2014 | 30
world to preserve the most unique species and their habitats. The affirmation of ASG, and worldwide success of
FrogLog, was clear evidence of this flourishing interest. For the same reasons, Alytes will dedicate more space and
energies to the conservation aspects of amphibian biology and policy. This was the case for the recently published
special issue edited by Angulo and Andreone (2012), which was just, as its title showed, destined to “fill the gap”
between conservation and policy.
Alytes therefore starts afresh, with the aim to attract and interest more scientists and readers. We need new
and original stories to tell and new scientific findings on amphibians and their world. Understanding their biology
and taxonomy is crucial for underpinning their conservation. We need to embrace the foresight and vision of the
journal founders in a modern and updated way. Alytes hopefully will become a forum to combine original research
with conservation action. A new format, new partners and new ways of dissemination will facilitate this task and
increase the productivity and quality of the journal, there by maintaining its long-standing originality.
LITERATURE CITED
Andreone, F., Lewis, J. (2012). A joint collaboration between the ASG and the ISSCA. FrogLog, 104, 20(5): 6-6.
Angulo, A., Andreone, F. (2012). Bridging the gap between science and policy in amphibian conservation. Alytes,
29(1-4): 3-7.
Eysenbach, G. (2006). Citation advantage of Open Access articles. PLoS Biology, 4(5): e157.
Fox, H. (1984). Amphibian morphogenesis. Humana Press, New York.
Gascon, C., Collins, J.P., Moore, R.D., Church, D.R., McKay, J.E., Mendelson, J.R. III (eds.) (2007). Amphibian
Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. Gland & Cambridge.
Hardisty, D.J., Haaga, D.A.F. (2008). Diffusion of treatment research: Does Open Access matter? Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(7): 821-839.
Rosa GM, Weldon, C, Andreone, F. (2013). Alytes: A call for an increased batrachology forum. FrogLog, 105,
21(1): 4-5.
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