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Academic

Dr Diana Bell

Diana Bell
Job Title Contact Location
Senior Lecturer  D dot Bell at uea dot ac dot uk
Tel: +44 (0)1603 59 2177  
Biology 01.53 
  • Personal
  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Publications
  • External
  • Admin

Career

  • BSc.Jnt. hons. Zoology & Psychology, University College, Cardiff
  • Ph.D. University of Wales (1977)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Zoology, Cardiff (1976-77)
  • Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, Department of Zoology, Cardiff (1977-79)
  • Lecturer /Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, UEA (since 1979)

Key Research Interests

I am a conservation biologist with eclectic research interests mainly at interdisciplinary boundaries. My overseas research has been primarily aimed at helping to identify long-term management plans to minimise biodiversity loss in critically threatened grassland and forest refugial habitats in Mexico, the Indian sub-continent, S.E. Asia and islands of the Indian Ocean. Much of my current research concerns the roles of introduced pathogens and wildlife trade in biodiversity loss. My UK research has used the European wild rabbit as a model species to investigate interrelationships among population dynamics, behavioural ecology, reproduction, genetics, parasites/ disease and species/ecosystem conservation. Most of the latter research has involved a long-term (20+year), non-invasive study of a natural European wild rabbit population situated on the UEA campus.

Current Research Projects


  • Population dynamics, social organization, parasites and disease in a long-term study of a natural population of the European wild rabbit 
  • Impact of H5N1 on biodiversity and local livelihoods 
  • Parasites and disease in Indian Ocean columbids and passerines
  • Myxomatosis epidemiology 50 years on 
  • Reintroductions and translocations of Mauritian avifauna
  • Developing a new initiative, Conservation Outreach, which will build capacity in conservation skills in countries rich in biodiversity but poor in resources to monitor and implement action plans for endangered species and ecosystems


Life in our research group
 

My students attend conferences in conservation biology and emerging infectious diseases and socialize with other members of the Theme and ecologists in ENV and social scientists in DEV. Our approach to research is interdisciplinary.

PhD Positions
 

Please email me to discuss PhD opportunities and projects within the School of Biological Sciences.


Postdocs & Fellows
 

I am always happy to discuss possibilities for postdoctoral work and collaborations. Possible funding routes include applying for fellowships, e.g. EU Marie Curie fellowships, with me acting as sponsor, or grant applications with you as a named postdoc.



Teaching Activities

  • Biodiversity (BIO 1A03)
  • Behaviour, Evolution and Ecology (BIO 1 A03)
Number of items: 41.

Article

Lawson, B, Cunningham, AA, Chantrey, J, Hughes, LA, John, SK, Bunbury, N, Bell, D and Tyler, KM (2011) A clonal strain of Trichomonas gallinae is the aetiologic agent of an emerging avian epidemic disease. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 11 (7). pp. 1638-1645. ISSN 15671348

Noble, T, Bunbury, N, Kaiser-Bunbury, CN and Bell, DJ (2011) Ecology and co-existence of two endemic day gecko (Phelsuma) species in Seychelles native palm forest. Journal of Zoology, 283 (1). pp. 73-80. ISSN 09528369

Edmunds, K, Roberton, SI, Few, R, Mahood, S, Bui, PL, Hunter, PR and Bell, DJ (2011) Investigating Vietnam’s Ornamental Bird Trade: Implications for Transmission of Zoonoses. EcoHealth, 8 (1). pp. 63-75. ISSN 1612-9202

Brooks, EGE, Roberton, SI and Bell, DJ (2010) The conservation impact of commercial wildlife farming of porcupines in Vietnam. Biological Conservation, 143 (11). pp. 2808-2814. ISSN 00063207

Cristinacce, A, Cole, RE, Jones, CG, Tatayah, RW and Bell, DJ (2010) Sexing immature Mauritius Fodies Foudia rubra using biometrics and delayed plumage maturation. Ostrich, 81 (2). pp. 135-137. ISSN 0030-6525

Allen, ZC, Shah, NJ, Grant, A, Derand, GD and Bell, DJ (2010) Hawksbill turtle monitoring in Cousin Island Special Reserve, Seychelles: an eight-fold increase in annual nesting numbers. Endangered Species Research, 11 (3). pp. 195-200. ISSN 1863-5407

Robinson, JE, Bell, DJ, Saleh, FM, Suleiman, AA and Barr, I (2010) Recovery of the Vulnerable Pemba flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi: population and conservation status. Oryx, 44 (03). pp. 416-423. ISSN 0030-6053

Brook, S, Grant, A and Bell, DJ (2009) Can land crabs be used as a rapid ecosystem evaluation tool? A test using distribution and abundance of several genera from the Seychelles. Acta Oecologica, 35 (5). pp. 711-719.

Cristinacce,, Switzer, R, Cole, R, Jones, C and Bell, DJ (2009) Increasing use of exotic forestry tree species as refuges from next predation by the critically endangered Mauritius fody Foudia rubra. Oryx, 43 (1). pp. 97-103.

Cristinacce, A, Switzer, R, Cole, R, Jones, C and Bell, DJ (2009) The release and establishment of Mauritius fodies Foudia rubra on the Ille aux Aigrettes, Mauritius. Conservation Evidence, 6. pp. 1-5.

Newton, P, Nguyen Van, T, Robertson, S and Bell, DJ (2008) Pangolins in peril: using local hunters' knowledge to conserve elusive species in Vietnam. Endangered Species Research, 6 (1). pp. 41-53.

Cristinacce, A, Ladkoo, A, Switzer, R, Jordan, L, Vencatasamy, V, de Ravel Koenig, F, Jones, C and Bell, DJ (2008) Captive breeding and rearing of critically endangered Mauritius fodies Foudia rubra for reintroduction. Zoo Biology, 27 (4). pp. 255-268.

Edmunds, K, Bunbury, N, Sawmy, S, Jones, C and Bell, DJ (2008) Restoring avian island endemics; supplementary food use by the endangered Pink pigeon (Columba mayeri). Emu, 108 (1). pp. 74-80.

Bunbury, N, Jones, CG, Greenwood, AG and Bell, DJ (2008) Epidermiology and conservation implications of Trichomonas gallinae infection in the endangered Mauritian pink pigeon. Biological Conservation, 141 (1). pp. 153-161. ISSN 00063207

Brooks-Moizer, F, Robertson, SI, Edmunds, K and Bell, D (2008) Avian influenza H5N1 and the wild bird trade in Hanoi, Vietnam. Ecology and Society, 14 (1). p. 28.

Bunbury, N, Stidworthy, MF, Greenwood, AG, Jones, CG, Sawmy, S, Cole, RE, Edmunds, K and Bell, DJ (2008) Causes of mortality in free-living Mauritian pink pigeons Columba mayeri, 2002–2006. Endangered Species Research, 9 (3). pp. 213-220. ISSN 1863-5407

Lees, AC and Bell, DJ (2008) A conservation paradox for the 21st century: The European wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, an invasive alien and an endangered native species. Mammal Review, 38 (4). pp. 304-320.

Ross, TN, Pernetta, AP, Jones, CG and Bell, DJ (2008) Sexual size dimorphism and microhabitat use of the orange-tail skink (Gongylomorphus spp.) on Flat Island, Mauritius: conservation implications. Amphibia-Reptilia, 29 (3). pp. 349-359.

Garrett, LJH, Jones, CG, Cristinacce, A and Bell, DJ (2007) Competition or co-existence of reintroduced, critically endangered Mauritius fodies and invasive Madagascar fodies in lowland Mauritius? Biological Conservation, 140 (1-2). pp. 19-28. ISSN 00063207

Gaspar da Silva, D, Barton, E, Bunbury, N, Lunness, P, Bell, DJ and Tyler, KM (2007) Molecular Identity and Heterogeneity of Trichomonad Parasites in a Closed Avian Population. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 7 (4). pp. 433-440.

Bunbury, N, Barton, E, Jones, CG, Greenwood, AG, Tyler, KM and Bell, DJ (2007) Avian blood parasites in an endangered columbid: Leucocytozoon marchouxi in the Mauritian Pink Pigeon Columba mayeri. Parasitology, 134 (6). pp. 797-804.

Bunbury, N, Jones, C, Greenwood, A and Bell, DJ (2007) Trichomonas gallinae in Mauritian columbids: implications for an endangered endemic. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 43. pp. 399-407.

Swift, L, Hunter, PR, Lees, A and Bell, DJ (2007) The wildlife trade and the emergence of infectious diseases. Ecohealth, 4 (1). pp. 25-30.

Robertson, SI, Bell, DJ, Smith, GJD, Nicholls, JM, Chan, KH, Dzung, NT, Tran, PQ, Streicher, U, Poon, LLM, Chen, H, Horby, P, Guardo, M, Guan, Y and Peiris, JSM (2006) Avian Influenza H5N1 in Viverrids: implications for wildlife helath and conservation. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273 (1595). pp. 1729-1732. ISSN 09628452

Gage, MJG, Surridge, AK, Tomkins, JL, Green, E, Wiskin, L, Bell, DJ and Hewitt, GM (2006) Reduced heterozygosity depresses sperm quality in wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus. Current Biology, 16 (6). pp. 612-617. ISSN 0960-9822

Cunningham, AA and Bell, DJ (2006) Avian influenza in birds and mammals. Veterinary Record, 158. p. 279.

Pernetta, AP, Bell, DJ and Jones, C (2005) Macro-and microhabitat use of Telfair's skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) on Round Island, Mauritius: implications for their translocation. Acta Oecologica, 28 (3). pp. 313-323.

Bunbury, N, Bell, DJ, Jones, C, Greenwood, A and Hunter, PR (2005) Comparison of the InPouch TF culture system and wet-mount microscopy for diagnosis of Trichomonas gallinae infections in the pink pigeon Columba mayeri. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 43 (2). pp. 1005-1006.

Fa, JE, Ryan, SF and Bell, DJ (2005) Hunting vulnerability, ecological characteristics and harvest rates of bushmeat species in afrotropical forests. Biological Conservation, 121 (2). pp. 167-176. ISSN 00063207

Bell, DJ, Wilkinson, D and Cunningham, A (2005) Wild goose chase? The Parlimentary Monitor, 133. pp. 56-57.

Bunbury, N, Wilkinson, D, Bell, DJ and Hunter, PD (2005) Panics and Pandemics. Parliametary Health Journal pH7, 13. pp. 14-15.

Bell, DJ, Robertson, S and Hunter, P (2004) Animal origins of SARS: possible links with the international trade in small carnivores. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B, 359 (1447). pp. 1107-1114. ISSN 09628436

Hunter, PR and Bell, DJ (2004) Avian flu. Parliamentary Health Journal pH7, March.

Matthee, CA, van Vuuren, BJ, Bell, DJ and Robinson, TJ (2004) A molecular supermatrix of the rabbits and hares (Leporidae) allows for the identification of five intercontinental exchanges during the Miocene. Systematic Biology, 53 (3). pp. 433-447.

Fa, JE, Sharples, CM, Bell, DJ and DeAngelis, D (2001) An individual-based model of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease in European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Ecological Modelling, 144 (2-3). pp. 121-138.

Bunbury, N, Jones, C, Greenwood, A, Hunter, PR and Bell, DJ Diagnosing Trichomonas Gallinae Infections in the Pink Pigeon Columba Mayeri: A Comparison of the InPouch TF Culture System and Wet-Mount Microscopy. Journal of Clinical Microbiology.

Book Section

Bell, DJ, Robertson, S and Hunter, P (2005) Animal origins of SARS coronavirus: possible links with the wildlife trade in small carnivores. In: SARS: A case study in emerging infections. Oxford University Press.

Bell, DJ (2001) The Leporidae. In: The new encyclopaedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press, pp. 250-265.

Cowan, J and Bell, DJ (2001) Thesocial life of the European wild rabbit. In: The new encyclopaedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Smith, A and Bell, DJ (2001) The Lagomorpha. In: The new encyclopaedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 248-249.

Peet, NB, Bell, DJ and Watkinson, AR (2000) Managing the Terai grasslands in Nepal: recent research and future priorities. In: Grassland Ecology and Management in Protected Areas of Nepal. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal, pp. 30-36.

This list was generated on Fri Apr 5 08:12:10 2013 BST.

External Activities and Indicators of Esteem

  • IUCN Species Survival Commission, Lagomorph Specialist Group (1981-)
  • Council Member: World Land Trust (2005-)
  • Invited lecture: Cambridge Society for the Application of Research, Churchill College, Feb 2007
  • Invited speaker: BA Meeting, Norwich: Emerging Infectious Diseases and Environmental Change- ‘Biodiversity loss, exotic pathogens and animal trade’ (Sept 2006)
  • Invited lecture: ‘Emerging infectious diseases, biodiversity loss and animal trade’, Imperial College, Silwood Park, March 2006
  • Invited speaker: United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Curitiba, Brazil: ‘Conservation implications of HPAI H5N1’ (March 2006)
  • Guest keynote speaker: Conference on Biodiversity and Health (COHAB 2005), Galway, Ireland, Aug 2005.
  • Invited speaker: ZSL Scientific Meeting, Zoological Society of London:’SARS and the wildlife trade’, Nov 2004
  • Invited speaker: Royal Society meeting, London: ‘Zoonotic origins of SARS: new avenues?’

Administrative Posts/Responsibilities

  • Director of MSc in Applied Ecology and Conservation (MScAEC)
  • Masters Module Organiser: MScAEC Dissertation (M60Y), Research Skills for Ecologists (M64Y), Issues in Conservation (M68), Practical Conservation (M56Y), MScAEC Field Course organiser.
  • BIO Ethics Committee
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