Reviewer Guidelines

Reviewers advise the editors on whether a manuscript is sound, original within its field and suitable for the journal. Editorial decisions are based on scope, scientific quality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, reporting quality, and relevance to the journal. The final decision rests with the editors. Single-blind by default; double-blind review is available on request.

Accept an invitation only if the manuscript is within your expertise, you can complete the review promptly, and you have no competing interest. Declare any relationship with the authors or their work, and decline when it could affect your judgment. If you can no longer review, tell the editorial office at once so another reviewer can be invited.

The manuscript and the reviewer’s report are confidential. Do not share the manuscript, discuss it with others, or use its content for your own work. If a colleague helps with the review, tell the editor first.

After submitting the review, reviewers should securely delete downloaded manuscript files and must not retain or use unpublished material.

For double-blind manuscripts, reviewers must not attempt to identify the authors.

Reviewers must obtain journal permission before using AI to assist with a review. Any permitted use must be disclosed, and confidential manuscript content must not be uploaded where confidentiality cannot be assured.

A useful report is specific, constructive and civil. It usually addresses:

• the question, its originality and its relevance to embryology and developmental biology
• whether the design, methods, controls and statistics support the conclusions
• whether the data, images and figures are clear, complete and free of signs of manipulation
• whether the ethics, consent, permits and trial registration that apply to the work are reported
• whether the interpretation is balanced and the limitations stated
• whether the cited literature is accurate and appropriate

Separate comments for the authors from confidential comments to the editor, and give a clear recommendation.

Tell the editor about any suspicion of plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated or manipulated data or images, or undisclosed competing interests. Do not investigate or contact the authors yourself. Concerns are handled under the Editorial Policies.

Reviewers may be asked to assess a revised version. Reviewer identities are kept confidential from authors unless a reviewer agrees otherwise.