Call for papers - Chemical signaling in plant and animal interactions

Guest Editors

Deguang Liu, PhD, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, China
Amélie Saunier, PhD, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d’Ecologie marine et continentale (IMBE), France

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 3 March 2025

BMC Ecology and Evolution invites submissions to our Collection on Chemical signaling in plant and animal interactions. This Collection seeks to showcase research on plant-pollinator interactions, plant defense mechanisms, predator-prey dynamics, and the impact of environmental stressors on chemical signaling. This Collection invites researchers to contribute their work on unraveling the intricate web of chemical communication that shapes ecological relationships.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Deguang Liu, PhD, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, China

Dr Deguang Liu is currently professor of Entomology at Northwest A&F University in China. Dr Liu has a PhD in Entomology (University of California Riverside, 2001-2006), postdoctoral training in Entomology (University of California Davis, and USDA Forest Service, 2006-2010). Dr. Liu's field of specialization is chemical ecology and molecular ecology of insects in general. His work includes studies of insect olfaction, invasive insect monitoring and management, evolution of insect biotypes, ecology and evolution of insects in the context of global climate change. He has over 60 peer-reviewed publications, and has supervised 47 PhD and master students.

Amélie Saunier, PhD, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d’Ecologie marine et continentale (IMBE), France

Dr Amélie Saunier is interested in the response of plant specialized metabolites in front of environmental perturbations (abiotic and biotic), especially the biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC). She researches them to better understand the ecosystem functioning since those compounds can act as mediator cues in intra and inter species interaction. She has also looked into their impact on atmospheric chemistry. She performs her experiments in terrestrial, marine, or interface areas.

About the Collection

BMC Ecology and Evolution welcomes submissions which explore the evolution and function of natural chemicals that mediate interactions within and between organisms. The article Collection aims to bring together research on:

• Chemical defenses in plants and animals (e.g. inducible defense, venoms, and poisons)
• Chemical communication (e.g. pheromones, insect sociochemical signaling, plant scents, plant – pollinator interactions, olfaction, and taste)
• Chemical ecology for pest management and sustainable agriculture
• Chemical ecology of symbiotic relationships
• The impact of environmental change on chemical communication

Reviews and commentary articles are welcome following consultation with the editor (Jennifer.harman@springernature.com).

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Chemical signaling in plant and animal interactions" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.