Research Interests

Keywords: Evolution, systematics, ecology, molluscs.

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Curriculum Vitae

Birth date 10.4.1941

Academic education

BSc: 1965.Hebrew University, Jerusalem (Zoology and Microbiology)

MSc: 1968. Hebrew University, Jerusalem (Zoology)

PhD: 1972. Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Employment history

1986 – Professor, Department of Zoology (currently Evolution, Systematics and Ecology), Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

1979 - Senior Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

1975 – Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

1972/4 – Visiting Scientist, Department of Zoology, University of Liverpool.

1981/2 - Visiting Scientist, Department of Zoology, University of Bristol.

1988/9 - Visiting Scientist, Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town.

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Main Publications

GROSSOWICZ, M., SIVAN, N. & J. HELLER. 2003. Melanopsis from the Pleistocene of the Hula Valley (Gastropoda: Cerithiodea). Israel Journal of Earth Sciences 52: 221-234.

HELLER, J. & N. SIVAN. 2002. Melanopsis from the Pleistocene site of 'Ubeidiya, Jordan Valley: direct evidence of early hybridization (Gastropoda: Melanopsidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 75: 39-57.

HODGSON, A.N., BEN-AMI, F. & J. HELLER. 2002. Ultrastructure of oogenesis in an ovoviviparous and an oviparous freshwater snail (Caenogastropoda). Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 41: 1-11.

FALNIOWSKI, A., HELLER, J., M. SZAROWSKA & MAZAN-MAMCZARZ, K.. 2002. Allozymic taxonomy within the genus Melanopsis (Gastropoda: Cerithiaca) in Israel: a case in which slight differences are congruent. Malacologia 44: 307-324.

HELLER, J., N. SIVAN & F. BEN-AMI. 2002. Systematics of Melanopsis from the Coastal Plain of Israel (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea). Journal of Conchology 37: 589-606.

HELLER, J. & N. SIVAN. 2002. Melanopsis from the Pliocene site of 'Erq El-Ahmar, Jordan Valley (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea). Journal of Conchology 37: 607-626.

MAZAN-MAMCZARZ, K., HELLER, J., & M. SZAROWSKA. 2002. Differences in the radula of the genus Melanopsis in the Jordan Valley, Israel. Malakologische Abhandlunged Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 20: 219-234.

FALNIOWSKI, A., HELLER, J., MAZAN-MAMCZARZ, K. & M. SZAROWSKA. 2002. Genetic structure of populations of the closely related species of Melanopsis (Gastropoda: Cerithiaca) in Israel. J. Zool. Syst. Evol. Research 40: 92-104.

BEN-AMI, F. & J. HELLER, 2001. Biological control of aquatic pest snails by the black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus. Biological Control 22: 131-138.

HELLER, J. & N. SIVAN, 2001. Melanopsis from the Mid-Pleistocene site of Gesher Benot Ya’aqov (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea). Journal of Conchology 37: 127-147.

HELLER, J. & N. SIVAN, 2001. Melanopsis from the Mid-Pleistocene site of Gesher Benot Ya’aqov (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea). Journal of Conchology 37: 127-147.

HELLER, J., 2000. Near East ecosystems, animal diversity. Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, 4: 329-352. Academic Press, NY.

HELLER, J. & N. SIVAN. 2000. A new species of Melanopsis from the land of Israel (Gastropoda: Melanopsidae). Journal of Conchology 37: 1-5.

HODGSON, A.N. & J. HELLER, 2000. Spermatozoon structure and spermiogenesis in three species of Melanopsis (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia: Cerithioidea) from Israel. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 37: 185-200.

HELLER, J. 2000. Life history strategies. Pp. 417-446 in: Barker, G. (ed.), Biology of terrestrial molluscs CABI, NY.

HELLER J., SIVAN N. & U. MOTRO, 1999.Systematics, distribution and hybridization of Melanopsis from the Jordan Valley (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) Journal of Conchology 36: 49-81.

KADMON, R. & J. HELLER, 1998. Modelling faunal responses to climatic gradients with GIS: land snails as a case study. Journal of Biogeography 25: 527-539.

HELLER J., N. SIVAN & AN HODGSON, 1997. Reproductive biology and population dynamics of an ovoviviparous land snail, Lauria cylindracea (Pupillidae). Journal of Zoology, London 243: 263-280.

HELLER, J. & UN SAFRIEL, 1995. Setting priorities for the conservation of lad snail faunas. Pp. 91-110 in: Biodiversity and conservation of Mollusca (AC van Bruggen & SM Wells eds.) Backhuys, Oegstgeest-Leiden.

HELLER, J. 1993. Hermaphroditism in molluscs. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 48: 19-42.

HELLER, J. 1993. Land snails of the land of Israel. Ministry of Defense, Tel Aviv. 260 pages. (Hebrew).

HELLER, J. 1990. Longevity in molluscs. Malacologia 31: 259-295.

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Present Teaching

• 72514 - Molluscs

• 90657 - Systematics