Professor in Nutritional Ecology
BSc (Leeds), MSc (James Cook), PhD (UPM)

My research interest is in documenting the distribution and abundance of wildlife in disturbed and undisturbed habitats and investigating the factors that determines wildlife distribution and abundance. This research has been conducted in peatswamp, lowland and hill forests in Sarawak as well as Crocker Range National Park and Balambangan Island in Sabah.

There are very few undisturbed pristine forests left in Malaysia, especially in Sarawak, because of extensive logging and agricultural activities. Unless the relevant authorities make a concerted effort to preserve the remnant of pristine forests, disturbed forests are going to be the habitat for wildlife in the future. The value of these habitats to an animal depends on the opportunities and risks it presents to the animal. Therefore evaluating habitat suitability using behavioral approaches has also been an important component of my research.

Food is an important resource in any habitat. Adequate supply of nutritious food plays an important role in regulating animal distribution and abundance. Those involved in wildlife reintroduction programs are aware of the importance of food supply as well as the ability of reintroduced animals to recognize and handle food resources. In this discipline of nutritional ecology, my research has investigated the foraging behavior of fruit bats and primates and the nutritional composition of their food.

Selected Publications

Fatimah A, Das I, Cheksum T, Mustapha A R, Andrew A T, Sepiah M, M. T. Abdullah, Isa I, Petrus B and Charlie J.L. 2005. Evaluation of the Biodiversity of the Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak. IRPA and Fundamental Research Paper Series, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Karim, C., A.A. Tuen and M.T. Abdullah. 2004. Mammals. Sarawak Museum Journal Special Issue No. 6. 80: 221?234.

Tuen, A.A., Hall, L.S., Rahman, M.A. and Salleh, M.A. 2001. Preliminary survey of mammals at Crocker Range Park, Sabah. In G. Ismail & L Ali (Eds.). A Scientific Journey Through Borneo. Crocker Range National Park Sabah. Vol. 1 : Natural Ecosystem and Species Components. Asean Academic Press, London. pp.169-178.

Tuen, A.A., Osman, A. and Putet, C. 2000. Distribution and abundance of small mammals and birds at Mt. Santubong, Sarawak. Sarawak Museum Journal LV No. 76 (new series): 235-254

Tuen, A.A. and Darub, A.W. 1999. Diversity and abundance of understorey birds in a peatswamp forest of Sarawak. Malayan Nature Journal 53:287-294

Hambadley, H. and Tuen, A.A. 1997. Nutritional ecology of Short-nose fruit bat, Cynopterus brachyotis. In Harmonizing Livestock Production with the Environment. Proc. 19 Ann. Conf. MSAP. pp. 143-144

Tuen, A.A. and Brown, J.S. 1996. Evaluating habitat suitability for tree squirrels in a sub-urban environment. Malaysian Applied Biology 25:1-8