Professor
BSc, MSc (West Virginia), PhD (U. Queensland)

Tel: +6082582333

Editor in Chief, Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology

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Research activities
Little work is being conducted on their distribution, abundance, status and ecology of some of the species of mammals in Borneo. Some species are only known from one or two specimens and localities. In early 1970s, I was involved with the conservation of large mammals, particularly the endangered Sumatran rhinoceros. With rapid habitat destruction and hunting pressure in Malaysia, I am now concentrating my research effort to document on the distribution, population status and basic species ecology, and find ways for in situ conservation of the species and their natural habitats in Malaysia. Since 1994, biodiversity surveys funded by the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in Borneo have resulted in the discovery of several new distribution records of mammals. New information on the species may be useful in our effort to save and protect species from being pushed to the brink of extinction amidst fast rainforest destruction.

Area of research - I’m interested on the biogeography and phylogenetics of mammals in the Southeast Asian region by using both classical and molecular methods.


Selected publications - Refereed Journals

Tingga, R.C.T. and M.T. Abdullah. 2012. Preliminary Morphometric Analysis of Aethalops aequalis populations in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Accepted by Tropical Natural History Journal.

Sigit Wiantoro, Ibnu Maryanto and M.T. Abdullah. 2012. Phylogeny and Phylogeography of Myotis muricola (Gray, 1846) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the West and East of Wallace's Line Inferred from Partial MtDNA Cytochrome b Gene. JTAS-0250-2010 accepted by Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science vol. 35.

Mohd Ridwan A. R. and M.T. Abdullah. 2012. Population Genetics of the Cave-dwelling Dusky Fruit Bat, Penthetor lucasi, Based on Four Populations in Malaysia. JTAS-0289-2010 accepted by Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science vol. 35.

Tingga, R.C.T. and M.T. Abdullah. 2012. Phylogeny and Phylogeography of Aethalops from Sundaland using 12S rRNA gene. JTAS-0290-2010 accepted Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science vol. 35.

Tingga, R. C. T., Anwarali, F. A., Mohd Ridwan A. R., Senawi, J. and Abdullah, M. T. 2012. Small mammals from Kuala Atok-Taman Negara, Pahang. Accepted by Sains Malaysiana.

Nur Aida Md Tamrin and M. T. Abdullah. 2011. Molecular phylogenetics and systematics of five genera of Malaysian murine rodents (Maxomys, Sundamys, Leopoldamys, Niviventer and Rattus) inferred from partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Journal of Science and Technology in the Tropics 7: 75-86.

Sazali, S.N., Besar, K. and Abdullah, M.T. 2011. Phylogenetic Analysis of the Malaysian Rhinolopus and Hipposideros Inferred from Partial Mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome b Gene Sequences. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science. 34(2): 281-294.

Sazali, S. N., Anwarali, F. A., Besar, K., Marni, W. and M.T. Abdullah. 2011. New distribution record of the Ashy roundleaf bat Hipposideros cineraceus Blyth 1853 in Sarawak Malaysian Borneo: Conservation implications. Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation. 8: 83-88.

Mohd Ridwan A. R., Tingga, R. C. T., Hasan, N. H., Azhar, M. I. & Abdullah, M.T. 2011. Bats of Wind Cave Nature Reserve, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Tropical Natural History 11: 159-175.

Rahman, MRA and M.T. Abdullah. 2010. Morphological Variation in the Dusky Fruit Bat, Penthetor lucasi, in Sarawak, Malaysia. Tropical Natural History 10(2): 141-158. http://www.biology.sc.chula.ac.th/TNH/index.html

Madinah A., Fatimah A., Mariana A., and M.T. Abdullah. 2011. Ectoparasites Of Small Mammals In Four Localities Of Wildlife Reserves In Peninsular Malaysia. The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine And Public Health. 42(4): 803-813.

Rahman MRA., Tingga RCT., Hasan NH, Wiantoro S., Achmadi AS., Eileen Lit, Besar Ketol, Huzal Irwan Husin & M.T. Abdullah. 2010. Diversity of bats in two protected limestone areas in Sarawak, Malaysia. Sarawak Museum Journal. 88:209-246.

Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran, Besar Ketol, Wahap Marni, Isa Sait, Mohamad Jalani Mortada, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan, Fong Pooi Har, Leslie S. Hall & M. T. Abdullah. 2011. Comparative Distribution and Diversity of Bats From Selected Localities In Sarawak. Borneo Journal Resource Science and Technology. Tech. 1: 1-13.

Hasan, N.H., Abdullah, M.T. 2011. A morphological analysis of Malaysian Kerivoula (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae). Mammal Study 36: 87-97.

Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan, Sergio Solari, Vicki J. Swier, Peter A. Larsen, M.T. Abdullah, Robert J. Baker. 2010. Systematics of Malaysian woolly bats (Vespertilionidae: Kerivoula) inferred from mitochondrial, nuclear, karyotypic, and morphological data. Journal of Mammalogy. 91(5): 1058-1072.

Rahman, Mohd Riduan Abdul and M.T. Abdullah. 2010. Morphological Variation in the Dusky Fruit Bat, Penthetor lucasi, in Sarawak, Malaysia. Tropical Natural History 10(2): 141-158.

Abdullah M.T., Wong Siew Fui and Besar Ketol. 2010. Catalogue of mammals in the UNIMAS Zoological Museum. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Publication, Kota Samarahan. ISBN 978-967-5527-02-9.

Apun, K., K.L. Kho, Y.L. Chong, F.H. Hashimatul, M.T. Abdullah, M.A. Rahman, M.B. Lesley and L. Samuel, 2010. Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in wildlife from disturbed habitats in Sarawak, Malaysia. Res. J. Microbiol., 6: 132-139. DOI: 10.3923/jm.2011.132.139.

Sigit Wiantoro, Eileen Lit, Mohd Fizl Sidq, Nor Salmizar, Isa Sait and M.T. Abdullah. 2009. Notes on Field Survey and New Distributional Record of Small Mammals in Mount Murud, Sarawak, Malaysia. Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation, 5: 71 – 79.

Besar Ketol, F. A. Anwarali, Wahap Marni, Isa Sait, Maklarin Lakim, Paul Imbun Yambun, Mohd Azib Salleh, Mustafa Abdul Rahman and M.T. Abdullah. 2009. Checklist of mammals from Gunung Silam, Sabah, Malaysia. Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation, 5: 61 – 65.

Anwarali, F. A., V.J. Swier, P.A. Larsen, S. Solari, K. Besar, M. Wahap, S. Ellagupillay, M. Marklarin, M.T. Abdullah, and R.J. Baker. 2008. Using Genetics and Morphology to Examine Species Diversity of Old World Bats: report of a recent collection from Malaysia. Occasional Papers at Museum of Texas Tech University. http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/publications/opapers/ops/OP281.pdf

Ryan, J.R., K.H.G. Andy, V.K. Jayaraj, Y. Esa, A.A. Sallehin and Abdullah, M.T. 2008. Malaysian fruit bats phylogeny inferred using ribosomal RNA. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science 31(1):107-117.

Siti Nurlydia Sazali, Noor Haliza Hasan, Charlie J. Laman, M.T. Abdullah. 2008. A Morphometric Analysis of Malaysian Rhinolopftus Species. Malaysian Journal of Mathematical Sciences 2 (1): 83-95.

Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan, Mohamad Faishal Bujang, Mohd. Azmin Kassim, Yap Sheau Yuh, Abang Arabi Abg Aimran, Zaidi Mawek, Abang Abdul Mutalib Abg Tajudin, Haidar Ali, Besar Ketol, Wahap Marni, Isa Sait, C.J. Laman, M.T. Abdullah. 2008. Diversity and Abundance of Birds and Mammals in Niah National Park, Sarawak using Transect Survey. Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation, 4(1): 23-37.

Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan, Sepiah Muid, M.T. Abdullah. 2008. Bats (chiropteran) Reported With Aspergillus Species From Kubah National. Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation 4(1): 81-97.

Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan, Siti Nurlydia Sazali, Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran, Siali Aban, Mohd Kasyfullah Zaini, Besar Ketol, Jeffrine Rovie Ryan, Ahmad Mashur Julaihi, L.S. Hall and M. T. Abdullah. 2008. Bat of Bako National Park. Sarawak Museum Journal LXIII (84):267-300.

Mohd Azlan J, Taha, S.H., Laman, C.J.M. and Abdullah, M.T. 2008. Diversity of bats at two contrasting elevations in a protected dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, Borneo The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, Australia 24: 151–156.

Abdullah, M.T. 2007. Mammals of Borneo online. Prospect Malaysia 2: 84-85.

Abdullah, M.T., Puttipong Jusait, Prakwat Wo Han Di, MZ Ariffin and LS Hall. 2007. Observations of bats in three national parks in Thailand. Tigerpaper 34(4): 5-10.

Ryan JRJ, Khairul Adha AR, Dennis KP, Khan FAA, Abdullah M.T., Marilyn J and Esa YB. 2007. Distribution and Composition of Freshwater Fishes of Jempol and Serting Rivers, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Journal of Wildlife and National Parks 22: 87-95.

Abdullah M.T. and VK Jayaraj. 2006. Preliminary investigation on the relationship of the nominate C. brachyotis with the small-sized and large-sized C. brachyotis using clustering analysis. Sarawak Museum Journal 83: 223-236.

Besar Ketol, Sekudan Tedong and M.T. Abdullah. 2006. Distribution of the rare flying lemur in Kota Samarahan and Kuching area, Sarawak. Sarawak Museum Journal 83: 237-241.

Jayaraj V.K., Besar Ketol, FAA Khan, LS Hall, Abdullah, M.T. 2006. Bat survey of Mount Penrisen and notes on the rare Kerivoula minuta, Kerivoula intermedia and Hipposideros coxi in Sarawak, Borneo. Journal of Biological Sciences 6(4): 711-716. Available online at http://www.ansijournals.com/jbs/2006/711-716.pdf.

Mohd-Azlan, J, Neucholos J and Abdullah M.T. 2005. Diversity of chiroptera in limestone forest area, Bau, Sarawak. Malaysian Applied Biology 34(1): 59-64.

Hall LS, Gordon G. Grigg, Craig Moritz, Besar Ketol, Isa Sait, Wahab Marni and Abdullah, M.T. 2004. Biogeography of fruit bats in Southeast Asia. Sarawak Museum Journal 80:191-284.