Ethology

Aims & Scope

International in scope, Ethology publishes original research on behaviour including physiological mechanisms, function, and evolution.

The Journal addresses behaviour in all species, from slime moulds to humans.

Experimental research is preferred, both from the field and the lab, that is grounded in a theoretical framework.

The section 'Perspectives and Current Debates' provides overviews of an aspect of the field as well as theoretical investigations and essays on controversial topics. ‘Ethological Methods’ includes reports of novel methods, and comparative assessments of methods, spanning all levels of analyses that are relevant to understanding behavior (e.g. physiology, genetics, statistics, behavioural assays). ‘Behavioural Notes’ is intended to allow reporting of novel behaviour that fundamentally alters our understanding of the behaviour of a species and/or redirects or inspires novel research.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	1.4
2024	1.30

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	10273

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	391

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.566

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	88

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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.

• Behavioral Causes and Consequences of Sexual Size Dimorphism

  Citation: 448

  Authors: Wolf U.

• Baby Schema in Infant Faces Induces Cuteness Perception and Motivation for Caretaking in Adults

  Citation: 396

  Authors: Melanie L., Daniel D., Kosha, James W., Ruben C., Norbert

• Using Principal Components and Factor Analysis in Animal Behaviour Research: Caveats and Guidelines

  Citation: 354

  Authors: Sergey V.

• Alternative Male Spawning Tactics and Acoustic Signals in the Plainfin Midshipman Fish <i>Porichthys notatus</i> Girard (Teleostei, Batrachoididae)

  Citation: 325

  Authors: Richard K., Andrew H.

• The Scent of Genetic Compatibility: Sexual Selection and the Major Histocompatibility Complex

  Citation: 320

  Authors: Dustin J.

• Essay on Contemporary Issues in Ethology: Variation among Mammalian Alarm Call Systems and the Problem of Meaning in Animal Signals

  Citation: 318

  Authors: Joseph M., Christopher S.

• Models of reproductive skew: A review and synthesis (Invited Article)

  Citation: 307

  Authors: Rufus A.

• The Significance of Ecological Factors for Exploration and Neophobia in Parrots

  Citation: 270

  Authors: Claudia, Hans, Bernd

• Wild Chimpanzees Produce Group‐Specific Calls: a Case for Vocal Learning?

  Citation: 245

  Authors: Catherine, Ilka, Linda, Christophe

• The Multipredator Hypothesis and the Evolutionary Persistence of Antipredator Behavior

  Citation: 239

  Authors: Daniel T.

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