Scientific Publications

Scientific Publications Highlights

The Scientific Publications Department at the California Academy of Sciences has published a vast amount of scientific literature since 1854 representing an array of natural history disciplines. The Academy’s original focus of exploring and explaining the fauna and flora of the western United States quickly expanded to include discoveries from all over the world: most notably the Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Islands, western North America and Mexico, China, Madagascar, Myanmar, the Philippines, New Guinea, southwest Asia, Africa and the islands of the Gulf of Guinea.

Scientific Publications offers a window into the exciting discoveries of our scientists whose research forms the basis of knowledge regarding the evolution and dispersal of many different species of plants and animals. At the same time, our scientists are creating integral global relationships with their foreign counterparts and several communities. These collaborations often lead to a cross-exchange of ideas and information, new educational programs and opportunities, the establishment of museums or naturalist centers, and unique conservation projects dedicated to saving a myriad of species that are under threat.

News

PCAS Volume 60, Nos. 1-9
Discovery of North American Honey Bee Fossil

Proceedings paper spurs article in Science News! Click on the above link to read more and for information on how to order.

Chemical Defense and Evolution of Opisthobranch Gastropods
Now Available! Chemical Defense and Evolution of Opisthobranch Gastropods

Chemical Defense and Evolution of Opisthobranch Gastropods by Guido Cimino and Michael T. Ghiselin. 25 September 2009....

PCAS Volume 60, Nos. 10-14
Now Available! PCAS Volume 60:10-14

Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Volume 60, Nos. 10-14. 25 September 2009. Order Now.

Evidence of Evolution
Now Available!

Evidence of Evolution by Susan Middleton and Mary Ellen Hannibal.  Special softcover California Academy of Sciences Edition: $19.95.

Publication Catalogues

Proceedings

(PDF 411KB)

Memoirs

(PDF 37KB)

Occasional Papers

(PDF 67KB)

Special Publications

(PDF 27KB)

Order

Found what you want in our catalogues?  Click below for information on how to order from us. 

Free Publication Downloads

Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Volumes 54-60 as well as Occasional Papers 155 and 156 (Parts I and II) are available as seperate downloadable articles!  Seeking older titles?  Some of our earlier publications are available on the Biodiversity Heritage Library site.

Featured Classic

Trees of the Panhandle: Golden Gate Park - San Francisco, by Elizabeth McClintock and Virginia Moore, 4th edition, 1973. 56 pages. $5.00.

Would you like to know something about the park's trees and shrubs, their names, where they came from and how they came to be here? This wonderful little guidebook includes a history of the Panhandle, a list of trees with basic descriptions accompanied by beautiful black and white photographs, and tree location lists by street with minature maps.  A perfect little book for the urban explorer.

 

History of Science Publications

Glance through our amazing collection of books on the history of science and natural history museums.

Contact the Managing Editor

  • Hallie Brignall
  • Managing Editor
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • 55 Music Concourse Drive
  • San Francisco, CA 94118
  • 415-379-5820 (direct)

FAQs

  • Can I download your publications online?

    The Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Volume 54 – Volume 60 as well as Occasional Papers 155 and 156 (Parts I and II) are available as individual FREE downloadable pdfs.  Other publications can be found on Google Scholar or on Biodiversity Heritage Library.  Copyright law applies.

  • What are your policies for book distributors?

    Please download our information sheet for distributors for 2010.

  • What is your publication schedule?

    The Proceedings are published in three volumes per year (spring, summer/fall, and winter.)  In addition, we sometimes publish one to two supplements.  Our other publication series do not have release schedule.  Therefore, we only offer subscriptions to the Proceedings.

  • How do I obtain permission to use material from your publications?

    Please send a formal request for permission of use, thoroughly describing your project and what item(s) you're interested in using, to our editor, Dr. Alan Leviton.

  • Who are your authors?

    Typically, our authors are Academy Curators, Collections Managers, Research Associates, and collaborators from all over the world.

  • Can I buy your publications at the museum?

    Absolutely.  Please call the managing editor (415) 379-5820 to place your order, arrange for payment, and schedule a day and time to pick up your order.

Submissions

The California Academy of Sciences publishes peer-reviewed scientific papers that stress systematics and evolutionary biology and paleontology, biogeography, and biodiversity, also related areas in the Earth Sciences, such as biostratigraphy, regional and global tectonics as they relate to biogeography and paleoclimatology, and topics in astrobiology, anthropology, as well as the history of science as they relate to institutions of natural history, to individuals, and to activities, such as expeditions and explorations, in the natural sciences.