January, 2009
Volume 24, Issue 1

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Volume 24, Issue 1

The cover image shows an artist's impression of what an Ediacaran scene might have looked like. Ediacara fossils document an important evolutionary episode just before the Cambrian explosion and hold crucial information about early evolution of macroscopic and complex multicellular life. In this issue, Shuhai Xiao and Marc Laflamme (pp. 31–40) review recent advances in the study of the Ediacara biota. The indications are that the Ediacara fossils epitomize a phylogenetically diverse biosphere, probably including animals, protists, algae, fungi and others. Cover image: Christian Jegou Publiphoto Diffusion/Science Photo Library. Cover design by Philip Patenall.



Editorial Team

  • Editor
    Katrina A. Lythgoe
  • Content Development Editor
    Linsey Meredith
  • Executive Editor, General Biology
    Geoff North
  • Editorial Assistant
    Suado Nur
  • Illustrations and Design
    Mat McCutcheon
    Philip Patenall
    Neill Sharp

Advisory
Editorial Board

  • G. Arnqvist
    S.C.H. Barrett
    M.A. Bell
    B.J.M. Bohannan
    R.M. Callaway
    J.S. Clark
    P.K. Dayton
    R. Dirzo
    A.P. Dobson
    M.J. Donoghue
    I. Hanski
    Y. Iwasa
    Ch. Korner
    W.F. Laurance
    G. Mace
    B.J. MacFadden
    R.M. May
    H.A. Mooney
    C. Moritz
    R. Nesse
    I. Olivieri
    S.P. Otto
    S.P. Paabo
    K. Padian
    L. Partridge
    D. Penny
    A.F. Read
    C. Simon

Featured Article

Admixture as the basis for genetic mapping
C. Alex Buerkle, and Christian Lexer
10.1016/j.tree.2008.07.008
Abstract | |

Seasons greetings to all our readers!

We thank all of our authors for their interesting contributions to TREE in 2008 and extend a special thank you to our Editorial Board and our referees for their invaluable advice during the year.

We wish you all a productive 2009!

From the TREE Editorial team

Articles of Interest in Other Journals

Trends in Genetics
The effects of deleterious mutations on evolution in non-recombining genomes
Vera B. Kaiser and Brian Charlesworth

Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Collective cognition in animal groups
Iain D. Couzin

Trends in Plant Science
Environmental change and the option value of genetic diversity
Alistair S. Jump, Rob Marchant and Josep Peñuelas

Current Biology
Convergent Evolution of Hawaiian and Australo-Pacific Honeyeaters from Distant Songbird Ancestors
Robert C. Fleischer, Helen F. James and Storrs L. Olson

Current Biology
Predator percolation, insect outbreaks and phase polyphenism
Andy M. Reynolds, Gregory A. Sword, Stephen J. Simpson and Don R. Reynolds



About Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Now the highest-cited journal in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Trends in Ecology & Evolution contains polished, concise and readable reviews, opinions and letters in all areas of ecology and evolutionary science. It serves as an invaluable source of information for researchers, lecturers, teachers, field workers and students. Trends in Ecology & Evolution keeps these scientists informed of new developments and ideas across the full range of ecology and evolutionary biology - from the pure to the applied, and from molecular to global. Now, more than ever before, is it necessary for life scientists to be aware of research from a wide range of disciplines, especially in the face of the gathering momentum of global environmental change and destruction. More than any other journal, Trends in Ecology & Evolution is the major forum for coverage of all the important issues concerning organisms and their environments.

Articles for Trends in Ecology & Evolution are generally commissioned by the Editor, but ideas for articles are welcome. Prospective authors should send an abstract (120 words) and a cover letter (two pages maximum) outlining what will be discussed in the article, plus up to 20 key references by email to the Editor (tree@elsevier.com). The editor will supply guidelines on manuscript preparation if the proposal is accepted. The submission of completed manuscripts without prior consultation with the Editor is strongly discouraged. Authors should note that all major articles in TREE are peer-reviewed and publication cannot be guaranteed.

Reviews form the foundation of each monthly issue. These articles, invited from leading researchers in a specific field, objectively chronicle recent and important developments.

Opinion articles provide a platform for more subjective essays on ecological and evolutionary topics (including historical or neglected issues as well as more contemporary material).

Science & Society articles are short pieces on topics at the interface of science and society.

The Research Focus section includes articles highlighting recent research papers of particular note.

Book reviews and Letters complete the selection of material currently available each month in TREE.

For more information, please contact tree@elsevier.com.

Most Read Articles

These are the five most downloaded papers for the 30 days preceding January 7, 2009. See full list of most read articles

Capturing escape in infectious disease dynamics
Sarah Cobey, Katia Koelle
10.1016/j.tree.2008.06.008
Summary | |
Origins and evolution of eukaryotic RNA interference
Svetlana A. Shabalina, Eugene V. Koonin
10.1016/j.tree.2008.06.005
Summary | |
Reversing opinions on Dollo’s Law
Rachel Collin, Maria Pia Miglietta
10.1016/j.tree.2008.06.013
Summary | |
Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease: lessons for conservation biology
Hamish McCallum
10.1016/j.tree.2008.07.001
Summary | |
Phylogenetic analysis of community assembly and structure over space and time
Brent C. Emerson, Rosemary G. Gillespie
10.1016/j.tree.2008.07.005
Summary | |