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Ballooning dispersal in arthropod taxa with convergent behaviours: dynamic properties of ballooning silk in turbulent flows (2006)
Journal Article
Reynolds, A., Bohan, D., & Bell, J. (2006). Ballooning dispersal in arthropod taxa with convergent behaviours: dynamic properties of ballooning silk in turbulent flows. Biology Letters, 2(3), 371–373. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2006.0486

We present a new model of ballooning behaviour in arthropods in which draglines are regarded as being extendible and completely flexible. Our numerical simulations reveal that silk draglines within turbulent flows can become twisted and stretched int... Read More about Ballooning dispersal in arthropod taxa with convergent behaviours: dynamic properties of ballooning silk in turbulent flows.

The emergence of manipulative experiments in ecological spider research (1684-1973) (2005)
Journal Article
Bell, J. R. (2005). The emergence of manipulative experiments in ecological spider research (1684-1973). Journal of Arachnology, 33(3), 826-849. https://doi.org/10.1636/0161-8202%282005%29033%5B0826%3ATEOMEI%5D2.0.CO%3B2

The history of spider ecology is discussed from its early beginnings in 1684 when the natural historian Martin Lister published his observations, to the post-war period up until 1973 when ecological spider research gathered momentum. While there have... Read More about The emergence of manipulative experiments in ecological spider research (1684-1973).

Detection of secondary predation by PCR analyses of the gut contents of invertebrate generalist predators (2005)
Journal Article
SHEPPARD, S., BELL, J., SUNDERLAND, K., FENLON, J., SKERVIN, D., & SYMONDSON, W. (2005). Detection of secondary predation by PCR analyses of the gut contents of invertebrate generalist predators. Molecular Ecology, 14(14), 4461-4468. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02742.x

Predation by generalist predators is difficult to study in the field because of the complex effects of positive and negative interactions within and between predator species and guilds. Predation can be monitored by molecular means, through identific... Read More about Detection of secondary predation by PCR analyses of the gut contents of invertebrate generalist predators.

Can simple experimental electronics simulate the dispersal phase of spider ballooners? (2005)
Journal Article
Bell, J. R., Bohan, D. A., Le Fevre, R., & Weyman, G. S. (2005). Can simple experimental electronics simulate the dispersal phase of spider ballooners?. Journal of Arachnology, 33(2), 523-532. https://doi.org/10.1636/04-91.1

Here we describe the structure of a fall speed chamber designed to measure, with low experimental error, the terminal velocities (fall speeds) of spiders of known weight and a given length of silk. We also describe the construction of a simulated ind... Read More about Can simple experimental electronics simulate the dispersal phase of spider ballooners?.

Ballooning dispersal using silk: world fauna, phylogenies, genetics and models (2005)
Journal Article
Bell, J., Bohan, D., Shaw, E., & Weyman, G. (2005). Ballooning dispersal using silk: world fauna, phylogenies, genetics and models. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 95(2), 69 - 114. https://doi.org/10.1079/BER2004350

Aerial dispersal using silk (‘ballooning’) has evolved in spiders (Araneae), spider mites (Acari) and in the larvae of moths (Lepidoptera). Since the 17th century, over 500 observations of ballooning behaviours have been published, yet there is an ab... Read More about Ballooning dispersal using silk: world fauna, phylogenies, genetics and models.

Manipulating the abundance of Lepthyphantes tenuis (Araneae : Linyphiidae) by field margin management (2002)
Journal Article
Bell, J. R., Johnson, P. J., Hambler, C., Haughton, A. J., Smith, H., Feber, R. E., Tattersall, F. H., Hart, B. H., Manley, W., & Macdonald, D. W. (2002). Manipulating the abundance of Lepthyphantes tenuis (Araneae : Linyphiidae) by field margin management. Agriculture, ecosystems & environment, 93(1-3), 295-304. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-8809%2801%2900343-7

Populations of the linyphiid spider Lepthyphantes tenuis were sampled in field margins in May, July and September in 1990–1991 and 1995–1996. Field margins were subjected to 10 grassland management regimes, which included the effects of spraying the... Read More about Manipulating the abundance of Lepthyphantes tenuis (Araneae : Linyphiidae) by field margin management.

The implications of grassland and heathland management for the conservation of spider communities: a review (2001)
Journal Article
Bell, J. R., Philip Wheater, C., & Rod Cullen, W. (2001). The implications of grassland and heathland management for the conservation of spider communities: a review. Journal of Zoology, 255(3), 377-387. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0952836901001479

Both intensity and type of habitat management in grasslands and heathlands affect spider communities. With high intensity management, spider communities often lack diversity and are dominated by a few r-selected species affiliated with bare ground. L... Read More about The implications of grassland and heathland management for the conservation of spider communities: a review.