Acta Ethologica

Aims & Scope

The journal publishes research papers (both empirical and theoretical contributions), short communications, commentaries, reviews and book reviews as well as methods papers in the field of ethology and related disciplines, with a strong bearing on the behaviour of all animals, including humans.

Special emphasis is placed on studies integrating proximate (i.e. mechanisms, development) and ultimate (i.e. function, evolution) levels in the analysis of behaviour.

Aspects of particular interest include: Adaptive plasticity of behaviour; Inter-individual and geographic variations in behaviour; Mechanisms underlying behaviour; Evolutionary processes and functions of behaviour; Comparative studies of behavioural traits; Behavioural development; Integrative approaches to the study of behaviour; Interspecific relationships, e.g. symbiosis, host-parasite relationships; Animal communication and social ethology.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	1.3
2024	1.10

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.412

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q2

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	13498

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	100

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Agricultural and Biological Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Communication networks: social environments for receiving and signalling behaviour

  Citation: 212

  Authors: P. K., T. M.

• The anuran calling repertoire in the light of social context

  Citation: 168

  Authors: Luís F., Itamar A., Daniel P., Michel A., César, Célio F. B.

• Playback experiments: design and analysis

  Citation: 113

  Authors: P. K.

• The case against retrospective statistical power analyses with an introduction to power analysis

  Citation: 94

  Authors: Shinichi, T. Mary

• Sociobiology of slave-making ants

  Citation: 87

  Authors: P., J.

• Some comments on visual perception and the use of video playback in animal behavior studies

  Citation: 84

  Authors: L. J., J. A.

• An integrative approach to sex change: social, behavioural and neurochemical changes in Lythrypnus dalli (Pisces)

  Citation: 74

  Authors: R. H., M. S.

• Nectar- and pollen-gathering Cephalotes ants provide no protection against herbivory: a new manipulative experiment to test ant protective capabilities

  Citation: 72

  Authors: Jonas, Kleber

• To be or not to be social: foraging associations of free-ranging dogs in an urban ecosystem

  Citation: 71

  Authors: Sreejani Sen, Anandarup, Arjun, Soumitra, Debottam, Jit, Anjan K., Anindita

• Spatial and temporal adjustments allowing the coexistence among carnivores in Liguria (N-W Italy)

  Citation: 69

  Authors: E., M., F., L.

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