Journal of Tropical Ecology aims to address topics of general relevance and significance to tropical ecology. This includes sub-disciplines of ecology, such as conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, marine ecology, microbial ecology, molecular ecology, quantitative ecology, etc. Studies in the field of tropical medicine, specifically where it involves ecological surroundings (e.g., zoonotic or vector-borne disease ecology), are also suitable. We also welcome methods papers, provided that the techniques are well-described and are of broad general utility. Please keep in mind that studies focused on specific geographic regions or on particular taxa will be better suited to more specialist journals. In order to help the editors make their decision, in your cover letter please address the specific hypothesis your study addresses, and how the results will interest the broad field of tropical ecology. While we will consider purely descriptive studies of outstanding general interest, the case for them should be made in the cover letter.