Staff Profile

Professor Matt Bentley is an Emeritus Professor in Marine Biology at Newcastle University.

Matt Bentley is a former Dean and CEO of Newcastle University in Singapore (2018-2021) having previously been Head of Academic Operations at Newcastle University Singapore (2016-2018). Prior to this he was Deputy Dean for Research and Professional Practice in the Faculty of Science & Technology at Bournemouth University, having been deputy and then acting Head of School of Marine Science and Technology at Newcastle University until 2014.

Matt studied Zoology as an undergraduate and then obtained his PhD from Newcastle University after which held a Royal Society European Fellowship at the Université de Lille, France. He was appointed to his first lectureship at St Andrews University in 1986 before moved to back to Newcastle University where he gained a personal Chair in Marine Biology in 2006. There he was Director of the Dove Marine Laboratory and, as acting Head of School, managed the School’s operation on five sites in NE England and on the University campus in Singapore.

He is a Fellow of The Linnean Society of London and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

Matt is a Marine Biologist who has research interests on reproduction of marine invertebrates, including invasive species and the effects of climate change. He has held grants from NERC, The Leverhulme Trust, Environment Agency and DEFRA amongst others and has research collaborations within the UK, Italy and South Africa. He has more than 90 publications and has successfully supervised 29 PhD students, many of whom have found academic positions in leading universities.

He is a passionate teacher and in his role at Newcastle University previously, he established links for students to study in Bermuda and the Bahamas as part of their undergraduate studies.

His personal interests include fly fishing, watercolour and acrylic painting, and pen and ink drawing.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

• Karam Q, Annabi-Trabelsi N, Al-Nuaimi S, Ali M, Al-Abdul-elah K, Beg MU, Bentley M. The response of sobaity sea bream Sparidentex hasta larvae to the toxicity of dispersed and undispersed oil. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2021, 30(6), 5065-5077.
• Karam Q, Ali M, Subrahmanyam MNV, Al-Abdul Elah K, Bentley M, Beg MU. A comparative study on the effect of dispersed and undispersed Kuwait crude oil on egg hatching and larval survival of Epinephelus coioides. Journal of Environmental Biology 2019, 40(2), 192-199.
• Green N, Bentley M, Stebbing P, Andreou D, Britton R. Trapping for invasive crayfish: comparisons of efficacy and selectivity of baited traps versus novel artificial refuge traps. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems 2018, 419, 15.
• Zanuri NM, Bentley MG, Caldwell GS. Assessing the impact of diclofenac, ibuprofen and sildenafil citrate (Viagra®) on the fertilisation biology of broadcast spawning marine invertebrates. Marine Environmental Research 2017, 127, 126-136.
• Graham H, Rastrick SPS, Findlay HS, Bentley MG, Widdicombe S, Clare AS, Caldwell G. Sperm motility and fertilisation success in an acidified and hypoxic environment. ICES Journal of Marine Science 2016, 73(3), 783-790.
• Varrella S, Romano G, Ianora A, Bentley MG, Ruocco N, Costantini M. Molecular Response to Toxic Diatom-Derived Aldehydes in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Marine Drugs 2014, 12(4), 2089-2113.
• Murray JM, Watson GJ, Giangrande A, Licciano M, Bentley MG. Regeneration as a novel method to culture marine ornamental sabellids. Aquaculture 2013, 410-411, 129-137.
• Fitzer SC, Caldwell GS, Clare AS, Upstill-Goddard RC, Bentley MG. Response of copepods to elevated pCO₂ and environmental copper as co-stressors – a multigenerational study. PLoS One 2013, 8(8), e71257.
• Murray JM, Watson GJ, Giangrande A, Licciano M, Bentley MG. Managing the Marine Aquarium Trade: Revealing the Data Gaps Using Ornamental Polychaetes. PLoS One 2012, 7(1), e29543.
• Fitzer S, Caldwell GS, Close AJ, Clare AS, Upstill-Goddard RC, Bentley MG. Ocean acidification induces multi-generational decline in copepod naupliar production with possible conflict for reproductive resource allocation. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2012, 418-419, 30-36.
• Taylor RL, Caldwell GS, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. The harpacticoid copepod Tisbe holothuriae is resistant to the insidious effects of polyunsaturated aldehyde-producing diatoms. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2012, 413, 30-37.
• Fitzer SC, Bishop JDD, Caldwell GS, Clare AS, Upstill-Goddard RC, Bentley MG. Visualisation of the copepod female reproductive system using confocal laser scanning microscopy and two-photon microscopy. Journal of Crustacean Biology 2012, 32(5), 685-692.
• Bentley MG. Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne-Edwards (Chinese Mitten Crab). In: Francis, R.A, ed. A Handbook of Global Freshwater Invasive Species. Oxford, UK: Routledge, 2011, pp.460.
• Caldwell GS, Lewis C, Pickavance G, Taylor RL, Bentley MG. Exposure to copper and a cytotoxic polyunsaturated aldehyde induces reproductive failure in the marine polychaete Nereis virens (Sars). Aquatic Toxicology 2011, 104(1-2), 126-134.
• Caldwell GS, Fitzer S, Gillespie CS, Pickavance G, Turnbull E, Bentley MG. Ocean acidification takes sperm back in time. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 2011, 55(4), 217-221.
• Murray JM, Watson GJ, Giangrande A, Bentley MG, Farrell P. Reproductive biology and population ecology of the marine fan worm Sabella pavonina (Savigny) (Polychaeta: Sabellidae). Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 2011, 55(3), 183-196.
• Bentley MG. The Global Spread of the Chinese Mitten Crab. In: Galil, B.S., Clark, P.F., Carlton, J.T, ed. In the Wrong Place- Alien Marine Crustaceans: Distribution, Biology and Impacts. Amsterdam: Springer, 2011.
• Ianora A, Bentley MG, Caldwell GS, Casotti R, Cembella AD, Engstrom-Ost J, Halsband C, Sonnenschein E, Legrande C, Llewellyn CA, Paldaviciene A, Pilkaityte R, Pohnert G, Razinkovas A, Romana G, Tilman U, Vaiciute R. The relevance of marine chemical ecology to plankton and ecosystem function: an emerging field. Marine Drugs 2011, 9(9), 1625-1648.
• Simon CA, Bentley MG, Caldwell GS. 2,4-Decadienal: Exploring a novel approach for the control of polychaete pests on cultured abalone. Aquaculture 2010, 310(1-2), 52-60.
• Stebbing PD, Watson GJ, Bentley MG. The response to disturbance chemicals and predator odours of juvenile and adult signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana). Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 2010, 43(3), 183-195.
• Betteley KA, Watson GJ, Hannah L, Bentley MG. Aspects of gametogenesis, oocyte morphology and maturation of the lugworm Arenicola marina (Annelida: Polychaeta) in relation to commercialised procedures to extend the breeding season. Aquaculture 2008, 279(1-4), 131-141.
• Lye CM, Bentley MG, Galloway T. Effects of 4-nonylphenol on the endocrine system of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas. Environmental Toxicology 2008, 23(3), 309-318.
• Watson GJ, Hannah LC, Gaudron SM, Betteley KA, Bentley MG. Extension of the breeding season and its effects on fertilization and development in two species of lugworm (Arenicola marina and A. defodiens). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2008, 354(1), 17-27.
• Dunstan HJ, Caldwell GS, Bentley MG. The effect of diatom-derived aldehydes on aquatic organisms. In: 56th Annual Meeting of the British Phycological Society. 2008, Belfast, Northern Ireland: British Phycological Society.
• Rose CA, Downie MJ, Wilding TA, Bentley M. Evaluating the suitability of artificial reefs as effective habitats. Ecological Modelling 2007.
• Gaudron SM, Watson GJ, Bentley MG. Induction of pairing in male scale worm Harmothoe imbricata (Polychaeta: Polynoidae) by chemical signals. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2007, 87(5), 1115-1116.
• Taylor RL, Caldwell GS, Dunstan HJ, Bentley MG. Short-term impacts of polyunsaturated aldehyde-producing diatoms on the harpacticoid copepod, Tisbe holothuriae. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2007, 341(1), 60-69.
• Taylor R, Caldwell G, Dunstan H, Bentley M. Effects of toxic diatoms on population growth and life history parameters of Tisbe holothuriae. In: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, Annual Main Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology. 2006, Canterbury, UK: Elsevier Inc.
• Taylor RL, Caldwell GS, Dunstan HJ, Bentley MG. Effects of toxic diatoms on the population growth and life-history parameters of Tisbe holothuriae. In: Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Society for Experimental Biology. 2006, University of Kent, Canterbury.
• Herborg LM, Bentley MG, Clare AS, Last KS. Mating behaviour and chemical communication in the invasive Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2006, 329(1), 1-10.
• Paffenhofer GA, Ianora A, Miralto A, Turner JT, Kleppel GS, Ribera D'Alcala M, Casotti R, Caldwell GS, Pohnert G, Fontana A, Muller-Navarra D, Jonasdottir S, Armbrust V, Bamstedt U, Ban S, Bentley MG, Boersma M, Bundy M, Buttino I, Calbet A, Carlotti F, Carotenuto Y, D'Ippolito G, Frost B, Guisande C, Lampert W, Lee RF, Mazza S, Mazzocchi MG, Nejstgaard JC, Poulet SA, Romano G, Smetacek V, Uye S, Wakeham S, Watson S, Wichard T. Colloquium on diatom-copepod interactions. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2005, 286, 293-305.
• Lye C, Bentley MG, Clare AS, Sefton E. Endocrine disruption in the shore crab Carcinus maenas - A biomarker for benthic marine invertebrates?. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2005, 288, 221-232.
• Caldwell GS, Lewis C, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. Exposure to 2,4-decadienal negatively impacts upon marine invertebrate larval fitness. Marine Environmental Research 2005, 59(5), 405-417.
• Herborg LM, Rushton SP, Clare AS, Bentley MG. The invasion of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in the United Kingdom and its comparison to continental Europe. Biological Invasions 2005, 7(6), 959-968.
• Taylor RL, Caldwell GS, Bentley MG. Toxicity of algal-derived aldehydes to two invertebrate species: Do heavy metal pollutants have a synergistic effect?. Aquatic Toxicology 2005, 74(1), 20-31.
• Taylor RL, Caldwell GS, Bentley MG. Acute-toxicity of diatom-derived aldehydes to two invertebrate species: do heavy metals have a synergistic impact?. In: Proceedings of the 10th Conference of the International Congress on Invertebrate Reproduction and Development. 2004, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne: International Society of Invertebrate Reproduction.
• Chausson F, Paterson LA, Betteley KA, Hannah L, Meijer L, Bentley MG. CDK1/cyclin B regulation during oocyte maturation in two closely related lugworm species, Arenicola marina and Arenicola defodiens. Development Growth and Differentiation 2004, 46(1), 71-82.
• Caldwell GS, Taylor RL, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. Diatom reproductive toxicology: Implications for marine ecosystems and aquaculture. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 2004, 137A(3), S35 abstract no. A5.2.
• Caldwell GS, Taylor RL, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. Diatom reproductive toxicology: Implications for marine ecosystems and aquaculture. In: SEB annual meeting. 2004, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Elsevier.
• Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. Diatom-derived aldehdyes as molecular signals in benthic marine environments. In: Annual Meeting of the British Phycological Society. 2004, University of Lancaster, UK.
• Lewis C, Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. Effects of a bioactive diatom-derived aldehyde on developmental stability in Nereis virens (Sars) larvae: An analysis using fluctuating asymmetry. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2004, 304(1), 1-16.
• Stebbing PD, Watson GJ, Fraser D, Jennings R, Sibley PJ, Bentley MG, Rushton SP. Evaluation of the capacity of pheromones for the control of invasive non-native crayfish. Peterborough: English Nature, 2004. English Nature Research Reports 633.
• Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. First evidence of sperm motility inhibition by the diatom-derived aldehyde 2E,4E–decadienal. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2004, 273, 97-108.
• Caldwell GS, Ianora A, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. How do algal blooms affect the evolution of invertebrate life history strategies?. In: 10th International Conference on Invertebrate Reproduction and Development (ICIRD). 2004, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
• Caldwell GS, Watson SB, Bentley MG. How to assess toxin ingestion and post-ingestion partitioning in zooplankton?. Journal of Plankton Research 2004, 26(12), 1369-1377.
• Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. The diatom-derived aldehdye 2E,4E-decadienal induces necrosis during meiotic reinitiation in oocytes of Asterias rubens L (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). 2004. Submitted.
• Rose CA, Wilding T, Downie MJ, Bentley M. A study of the habitat complexity of an artificial reef, Loch Linnhe W. Scotland. In: 38th European Marine Biology Symposium. 2003, Aveiro, Portugal.
• Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. Are diatoms birth control agents in benthic marine ecosystems?. In: Functioning of Microphytobenthos in Estuaries. 2003, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• Stebbing PD, Bentley MG, Watson GJ. Mating behaviour and evidence for a female released courtship pheromone in the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus. Journal of Chemical Ecology 2003, 29(2), 465-475.
• Clare AS, Bentley MG, Ladle RJ. Multilevel analyses of endocrine disruption in shore crabs from UK estuarine and coastal marine environments (Report to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, contract no. CDEP/84/5/309). Newcastle-Upon-Tyne: School of Marine Science & Technology, Newcastle University, 2003.
• Lewis C, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. Pre-emptive competition as a selective pressure for early reproduction in the polychaete Nereis virens. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2003, 254, 199-211.
• Stebbing PD, Watson GJ, Bentley MG, Fraser D, Jennings R, Rushton SP, Sibley PJ. Reducing the threat: The potential use of pheromones to control invasive signal crayfish. In: Bulletin Francais de la Peche et de la Pisciculture: 1st Thematic Meeting of CRAYNET. 2003, Kilkenny, Ireland: Conseil superieur de la peche.
• Herborg LM, Rushton SP, Clare AS, Bentley MG. Spread of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards) in Continental Europe: analysis of a historical data set. Hydrobiologia 2003, 503(1-3), 21-28.
• Watson GJ, Bentley MG, Gaudron SM, Hardege JD. The role of chemical signals in the spawning induction of polychaete worms and other marine invertebrates. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2003, 294(2), 169-187.
• Herborg L-M, Bentley MG, Clare AS, Rushton SP. The spread of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in Europe; the predictive value of an historical data set. Hydrobiologia 2003, 503(1-3), 21-28.
• Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. The use of a brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassay to assess the toxicity of diatom extracts and short chain aldehydes. Toxicon 2003, 42(3), 301-306.
• Gaudron SM, Bentley MG. Control of reproductive behaviour in the scale worm Harmothoë imbricata (Annelida: Polychaeta: Polynoidae). Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 2002, 41(1-3), 109-118.
• Gaudron SM, Bentley MG. Control of reproductive behaviour in the scale worm Harmothoë imbricata (Annelida: Polychaeta: Polynoidae). Invertebrate Reproduction & Development 2002, 41(1-3), 109-118.
• Williams ME, Bentley MG. Fertilization success in marine invertebrates: The influence of gamete age. Biological Bulletin 2002, 202(1), 34-42.
• Herborg LM, Bentley MG, Clare AS. First confirmed record of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from the River Tyne, United Kingdom. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2002, 82(5), 921-922.
• Caldwell GS, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. Inhibition of embryonic development and fertilization in broadcast spawning marine invertebrates by water soluble diatom extracts and the diatom toxin 2-trans,4-trans decadienal. Aquatic Toxicology 2002, 60(1-2), 123-137.
• Bentley MG, Clare AS. Invasion of the Chinese mitten crab. Biological Sciences Review 2002, 15, 6-8.
• Hardege JD, Jennings A, Hayden D, Müller CT, Pascoe D, Bentley MG, Clare AS. Novel behavioural assay and partial purification of a female-derived sex pheromone in Carcinus maenas. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2002, 244, 179-189.
• Bentley MG, Clare AS. Chemical signals in marine invertebrates. Biological Sciences Review 2001, 13(5), 7-9.
• Olive PJW, Lewis C, Beardall V, Last K, Bentley MG. Fitness consequences of seasonal reproduction: experiments on the polychaete Nereis virens Sars. In: Atkinson, D., Thorndyke, M, ed. Environment and Animal Development: Genes, Life Histories and Plasticity. Oxford: BIOS Scientific Publishers Ltd, 2001, pp.chapter 17.
• Watson GJ, Williams ME, Bentley MG. Can synchronous spawning be predicted from environmental parameters? A case study of the lugworm Arenicola marina. Marine Biology 2000, 136(6), 1003-1017.
• Watson GJ, Langford FM, Gaudron SM, Bentley MG. Factors influencing spawning and pairing in the scale worm Harmothoe imbricata (Annelida : Polychaeta). Biological Bulletin 2000, 199(1), 50-58.
• Giulianini PG, Smullen RP, Bentley MG, Ferrero EA. Localisation of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone in late embryonic and first larval stage of Nephrops norvegicus (Astacoidea, Nephropidae). Italian Journal of Zoology 2000, 67(4), 339-341.
• Bentley MG, Watson GJ. Making scents of sex underwater. Biologist 2000, 47(5), 251-254.
• Bentley MG, Olive PJW, Last K. Sexual satellites, moonlight and the nuptial dances of worms: The influence of the moon on the reproduction of marine animals. Earth, Moon and Planets 1999, 85-86, 67-84.
• Watson, G.J. and Bentley, M.G. Action of CMF (Coelomic Maturation Factor) on oocytes of the polychaete Arenicola marina (L.). Journal of Experimental Zoology 1998, 281, 65-71.
• Bentley M.G., Watson G.J., Cadman P.S. and Paterson L.A. Control of oocyte maturation, sperm activation and spawning in two lugworm species: Arenicola marina and A defodiens. Marine Ecology Progress Series 1998, 175, 167-176.
• Bentley M.G., Hardege J.D. and Snape L. Sediment selection by juvenile Arenicola marina. Marine Ecology Progress Series 1998, 166, 187-195.
• Bentley M.G. and Hardege J.D. Spawning synchrony in Arenicola marina: evidence for sex pheromonal control. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B - Biological Sciences 1997, 264, 1041-1047.
• Bentley M.G., Hardege J.D., Beckmann M. and Müller C. Sex pheromones in marine polychaetes: volatile organic substances (VOS) isolated from Arenicola marina. Marine Ecology Progress Series 1996, 139, 157-166.
• BENTLEY MG. SPAWNING HORMONE IN THE POLYCHAETE NEPHTYS. In: BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE ZOOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE-EVOLUTION ET ZOOLOGIE. 1986.
• OLIVE PJW, GARWOOD PR, BENTLEY MG. REPRODUCTIVE FAILURE AND OOSORPTION IN POLYCHAETA IN RELATION TO THEIR REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES. BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE ZOOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE 1981, 106(3), 263-268.
• OLIVE PJW, BENTLEY MG. HORMONAL-CONTROL OF OOGENESIS, OVULATION AND SPAWNING IN THE ANNUAL REPRODUCTIVE-CYCLE OF THE POLYCHAETE, NEPHTYS-HOMBERGII SAV (NEPHTYIDAE). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE REPRODUCTION 1980, 2(4), 205-221.