Newcastle University

Roles and Responsibilities

Degree Program Director for MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation & Ecotourism

Undergraduate Teaching

Module leader
BIO1007 Introduction to Marine Vertebrates
BIO3001 Animal Ecophysiology

Contributor
BIO1002 Animal Kingdom
BIO1010 Biology in Action
MST1001 Biodiversity of Marine Animals
BIO2002 Biodiversity & Conservation
BIO2003 Field ID Skills
BIO2014 Animal Physiology
MST2013 Marine Vertebrates
ACE3070 Global Ecosystems and Env Change
MST3021 North Sea Marine Science
BIO3022 Residential Field Course
BIO3194/5/6 Undergarduate Research Projects

Postgraduate Teaching

Module leader
ACE8042 Wildlife Conservation: Policy and Practice (joint)

Contributor
BIO8006 Field ID Skills
ACE8061 Global Ecosystems and Env Change
ACE8096 Habitat/Species Survey/Management Project

Research Interests

Animal Ecophysiology: how animals work in the wild.
The way that animals interact with their environment both physiologically and behaviourally is vital if we are to understand and interpret their biology. Physiological limitations will affect an animal’s behavioural repertoire while conversely an animal’s behaviour can influence the development of an animal’s physiological limits. By integrating physiology and behaviour, we can gain a better understanding of the overall ecology of the animals.
My research interests are broad and span from studying the basic physiological processes of an animal up to those occurring at the animal-environment interaction. Underpinning my work is the use of state of the art, remote monitoring technology such as heart rate monitoring, electronic data archival devices and satellite telemetry. Specific areas of study include: the physiology, ecology and behaviour of aquatic animals; energy expenditure of free-ranging animals; foraging behaviour of seabirds; use of stable isotopes to study animal ecology; spatial movements of animals; animal conservation.

Current Work

Current work is focussed mainly on determining the factors affecting the foraging behaviour and reproductive success of seabirds. To understand these factors better, I am deploying new technology to determine the movements and behaviour of seabirds while they are at sea.

Postgraduate Supervision

I currently supervise:
Yaser Binaser with Prof Jon Bythell. PhD title "Physiological effects of global climate change on common British Marine invertebrates."
Rhos Ahmed with Dr Peter Garson. MPhil title "Habitat use by Brent Goose at Holy Island, Northumberland.
"

Past students include:
Laura Morris with Dr Chris Redfern. PhD title "Factors affecting chick mortality in Arctic and Common terns".
Jim Clapp with Dr Ian Singleton. PhD title "Using avian guano as a non-destructive biomonitor of environmental heavy metal exposure".
Liz Coiffait with Dr Kirsten Wolff. PhD title "Elucidating the movements of migratory birds through the combined use of stable isotope signatures and DNA fingerprints".
Matt Edwards recently completed his thesis. PhD title: "Modelling the behaviour and physiology of pursuit in diving birds".

I also supervise MSc projects on a variety of topics such as red kite reintroductions and seabird ecology

Projects

• Habitat use by Brent Goose at Holy Island, Northumberland.
  Project Leader(s): Ross Ahmed
• Physiological effects of global climate change on common British Marine invertebrates.
  Project Leader(s): Yaser Binnaser

• Clapp JB, Bevan R, Singleton I. Avian Urine: Its Potential as a Non-Invasive Biomonitor of Environmental Metal Exposure in Birds. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 2012, 223(7), 3923-3938.
• Adams D, Arkle S, Bevan RM, Boachie-Ansah G, Bradshaw T, Cameron G, Campbell AM, Chamberlain M, Gibson A, Gowers D, Hayes M, Heritage J, Hollingsworth M, Hooper H, Hudson K, Hughes I, Lindsey N, Meskin S, Park J, Podesta T, Rattray J, Scott G, Shearer M, Smalley H, Smith VA, Smith D, Tierney A, Todd M, Verran J, Wakeford C, Wilbraham J, Wilson J. 1st Year Practicals: Their Role in Developing Future Bioscientists. Leeds: Centre for Bioscience, University of Leeds, 2008.
• Milona P, Townes CL, Bevan RM, Hall J. The chicken host peptides, gallinacins 4, 7, and 9 have antimicrobial activity against Salmonella serovars. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2007, 356(1), 169-174.
• Coiffait L, Bevan RM, Newton J, Redfern CPF, Wolff K. Elucidating the movements of migratory birds through the combined use of stable isotope ‘signatures’ and DNA markers. In: Boere, G.C.; Galbraith, C.A.; Stroud, D.A, ed. Waterbirds Around the World. Edinburgh: The Stationery Office, 2006, pp.506-507.
• Thaxter, C., Redfern, C.P.F., Bevan, R.M. Survival rates of adult Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus at a northern and southern site in England. Ringing and Migration 2006, 23(2), 65-79.
• Atkinson PW, Baker AJ, Bevan RM, Clark NA, Cole KB, Gonzalez PM, Newton J, Niles LJ, Robinson RA. Unravelling the migration and moult strategies of a long-distance migrant using stable isotopes: Red Knot Calidris canutus movements in the Americas. Ibis 2005, 147(4), 738-749.
• Hawkins P, Morton DB, Bevan R, Heath K, Kirkwood J, Pearce P, Scott L, Whelan G, Webb A. Husbandry refinements for rats, mice, dogs and non-human primates used in telemetry procedures: Seventh report of the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint Working Group on Refinement, Part B. Laboratory Animals 2004, 38(1), 1-10.
• Bevan RM. Stable isotopes: a tool for linking behaviour and physiology. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 2004, 137, S24-S25.
• Morton DB, Hawkins P, Bevan R, Heath K, Kirkwood J, Pearce P, Scott L, Whelan G, Webb A, Joint Working Grp Refinement. Refinements in telemetry procedures - Seventh report of the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint Working Group on Refinement, part A. Laboratory Animals 2003, 37(4), 261-299.
• Nolet BA, Bevan RM, Klaassen M, Langevoord O, Van der Heijden YGJT. Habitat switching by Bewick's swans: maximization of average long-term energy gain?. Journal of Animal Ecology 2002, 71(6), 979-993.
• Bevan RM, Butler PJ, Woakes AJ, Boyd IL. The energetics of Gentoo Penguins, Pygoscelis papua, during the breeding season. Functional Ecology 2002, 16(2), 175-190.
• Hale ML, Bevan R, Wolff K. New polymorphic microsatellite markers for the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and their applicability to the grey squirrel (S. carolinensis). Molecular Ecology Notes 2001, 1(1-2), 47-49.
• Nolet BA, Langevoord O, Bevan RM, Engelaar KR, Klaassen M, Mulder RJW, Van Dijk S. Spatial variation in tuber depletion by swans explained by differences in net intake rates. Ecology 2001, 82(6), 1655-1667.
• Butler PJ, Woakes AJ, Bevan RM, Stephenson R. Heart rate and rate of oxygen consumption during flight of the barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology a-Molecular and Integrative Physiology 2000, 126(3), 379-385.
• Ropert-Coudert Y, Bost CA, Handrich Y, Bevan RM, Butler PJ, Woakes AT, Maho YLe. Impact of externally attached loggers on the diving behaviour of the king penguin. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 2000, 73(4), 438-445.
• Y. Handrich,R. M. Bevan,J. B. Charrassin,P. J. Butler,K. Putz,A. J. Woakes,J. Lage,Y. LeMaho. Hypothermia in foraging king penguins. Nature 1997, 388(6637), 64-67.