Professor in Zoology
Dip. Forestry (UiTM), BSc, MSc (California State Uni.), PhD (Queensland)

My research is focused on the use of molecular and morphological approaches to study population dynamics and evolution. Current research areas include: (1) the use of molecular markers and morphology to infer current and historical population processes at various spatial and temporal scales; (2) the effects of historical changes in habitat on current distributions and diversity of faunas, with particular reference to animals endemic to the high-altitude (mountains) and (3) incorporating molecular and morphological data into conservation policy with the goal of developing methodologies that incorporate evolutionary processes into spatial development frameworks and conservation initiatives. My research is question driven as opposed to taxon driven, although I primarily focus on birds. At present, I have ongoing project on mountain blackeyes (Chlorocharis emiliae), a mountain bird endemic to Borneo. I hope that my interest in this area of research will open up more avenues for further investigations into the complexity of the rainforest fauna.

Selected Publications

Rahman, M. A. 2007. Patterns of avifauna distribution east and west of Wallace’s Line. Sarawak Museum Journal. Vol. LXIII, No. 84. 245-257.

Ramlah Zainudin, Mustafa Abd Rahman, Wahap Marni, and Besar Ketol. 2006. On the occurrence of anurans and their microhabitat utilizations at Sarawak Highlands, Malaysia; Bario, the Kelabit Highland and Borneo Highland Resort, Padawan. The Journal of Wildlife and Parks, Vol. 23: 29-43.

Rahman, M. A. 2006. Patterns of morphological variation in the little spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra) in Taman Negara, Peninsular Malaysia and Thale Ban National Park, Thailand. In: Othman, S., Yatim, S. H., Elagupillay, S., Md. Nor, S., Ahmad, N., and Mohd Sah, S. H (eds.), Pp: 207-214, Management and Status of Resources in Protected Areas for Peninsular Malaysia. Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Kuala Lumpur. ISBN 983-43010-0-6.

Robert G. Moyle, Menno Schilthuizen, Rahman, M. A., and Frederick H. Sheldon. 2005. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the white-crowned forktail (Enicurus leschenaulti) in Borneo. Journal of Avian Biology, 36: 96-101.

Rahman, M.A., and A.A. Tuen. 2006. The avifauna. In: Abang, F., and I. Das, eds. Pp129-136. The Biodiversity of a Peat Swamp Forest in Sarawalk. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan. ISBN 983-9257-45-5

Gawin, D. F. A., and Rahman, M. A. 2005. Analysis of external morphological characters in determining patterns of variation among mountain blackeye (Chlorocharis emiliae) populations in Borneo. In: Tuen and Das (eds), Wallace in Sarawak – 150 Years Later, Pp: 188-194. Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Kota Samarahan. ISBN 983 9257-5-0-1

Lim, G. W., and Rahman, M. A. 2005. Patterns of genetic variation among white-nest swiftlets (Aerodramus fuciphagus) populations in Malaysia based on partial cytochrome b region. In: Tuen and Das (eds), Wallace in Sarawak – 150 Years Later, Pp: 91-99. Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Kota Samarahan. ISBN 983 9257-5-0-1

Gawin, D. F. A., and Rahman, M. A. 2005. Genetic Variation of Mountain Blackeye (Chlorocharis emiliae) in Borneo. In L. Seng (ed). Proceedings of the International Conference on Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Sarawak Development Institute.

Rahman, M. A. 2005. Phylogenetic relationship of  spiderhunters (Family: Nectariniidae) in Southeast Asia. In Murtedza Mohamed (ed), IRPA and Fundamental Research Papers Series, Research and Innovation Management Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Hussen, H., and Rahman, M. A. 2005. Phylogenetic relationships of selected babblers (Family: Timaliidae) inferred from mtDNA cytochrome oxidase 1. In: Tuen and Das (eds), Wallace in Sarawak – 150 Years Later, Pp: 195-197. Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Kota Samarahan. ISBN 983 9257-5-0-1.