Marcus Chua
@marcuschua.bsky.social
Studies and curates mammals of SE Asia. Biodiversity, conservation, and natural history museums. Also swims, hifi, and ramen.
Same handle on the x-bird app.
🇸🇬
https://sites.google.com/view/marcuschua
Same handle on the x-bird app.
🇸🇬
https://sites.google.com/view/marcuschua
Pinned
Marcus Chua
@marcuschua.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Hello @bsky.app, I am a mammal researcher from Singapore most interested in learning about their life history and how to conserve them. Hoping to learn about that here from others, and share my own research.
Also a home ice cream maker and enthusiast, while trying to swim off all those calories.
Also a home ice cream maker and enthusiast, while trying to swim off all those calories.
[New paper] After the 2023 African Swine Fever outbreak, greater mouse-deer density on Pulau Ubin, Singapore surged to 293/km2—the highest known for the species.
Likely drivers: >98% wild pig mortality, active reforestation and low predation pressure.
doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
Likely drivers: >98% wild pig mortality, active reforestation and low predation pressure.
doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
November 28, 2025 at 7:27 PM
[New paper] After the 2023 African Swine Fever outbreak, greater mouse-deer density on Pulau Ubin, Singapore surged to 293/km2—the highest known for the species.
Likely drivers: >98% wild pig mortality, active reforestation and low predation pressure.
doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
Likely drivers: >98% wild pig mortality, active reforestation and low predation pressure.
doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
RIP boots: 2015–2025
I didn’t expect we’d be such close friends again, protecting me through two big whale defleshing ops.
I didn’t expect we’d be such close friends again, protecting me through two big whale defleshing ops.
October 23, 2025 at 12:21 PM
RIP boots: 2015–2025
I didn’t expect we’d be such close friends again, protecting me through two big whale defleshing ops.
I didn’t expect we’d be such close friends again, protecting me through two big whale defleshing ops.
It’s been a month into the salvage of the roqual whale, with the days long and I’ve been onsite daily during workdays.
So touched by my colleagues showing concern about my wellbeing, feeding and hydration. Still don’t know who the snacks are from but thanks!
So touched by my colleagues showing concern about my wellbeing, feeding and hydration. Still don’t know who the snacks are from but thanks!
October 18, 2025 at 11:27 AM
It’s been a month into the salvage of the roqual whale, with the days long and I’ve been onsite daily during workdays.
So touched by my colleagues showing concern about my wellbeing, feeding and hydration. Still don’t know who the snacks are from but thanks!
So touched by my colleagues showing concern about my wellbeing, feeding and hydration. Still don’t know who the snacks are from but thanks!
The salvage of this dead baleen whale has been the main preoccupation of my waking hours since the start of September.
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/en...
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/en...
Work to preserve baleen whale that surfaced off Tanjong Pagar under way
The 6.3m-long carcass is likely to have been swept into Singapore’s waters. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The salvage of this dead baleen whale has been the main preoccupation of my waking hours since the start of September.
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/en...
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/en...
Reposted by Marcus Chua
Back in Spain after two great weeks at the Lee Kong Chian and Thailand National Natural History Museums. Always a pleasure to catch up with friends, start new collabs and examine amazing specimens. Huge thanks to @marcuschua.bsky.social and the THNHM collections team for being such wonderful hosts!
September 19, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Back in Spain after two great weeks at the Lee Kong Chian and Thailand National Natural History Museums. Always a pleasure to catch up with friends, start new collabs and examine amazing specimens. Huge thanks to @marcuschua.bsky.social and the THNHM collections team for being such wonderful hosts!
The LKCNHM Public Research Symposium 2025 is underway!
My colleagues and I will be sharing about specimens, science and stories from the museum with members of the public, and I will be giving a talk and moderating a panel discussion.
Excited to share our science and research!
My colleagues and I will be sharing about specimens, science and stories from the museum with members of the public, and I will be giving a talk and moderating a panel discussion.
Excited to share our science and research!
September 6, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The LKCNHM Public Research Symposium 2025 is underway!
My colleagues and I will be sharing about specimens, science and stories from the museum with members of the public, and I will be giving a talk and moderating a panel discussion.
Excited to share our science and research!
My colleagues and I will be sharing about specimens, science and stories from the museum with members of the public, and I will be giving a talk and moderating a panel discussion.
Excited to share our science and research!
[New paper] How do 8 small wild cat species coexist in SE Asia? Do they avoid competition by carving out unique niches?
Our study analyzed 465 museum skulls to see how their anatomy helps them share the space. 🧵
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
/w @wildcru.bsky.social @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social
Our study analyzed 465 museum skulls to see how their anatomy helps them share the space. 🧵
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
/w @wildcru.bsky.social @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social
August 15, 2025 at 6:06 PM
[New paper] How do 8 small wild cat species coexist in SE Asia? Do they avoid competition by carving out unique niches?
Our study analyzed 465 museum skulls to see how their anatomy helps them share the space. 🧵
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
/w @wildcru.bsky.social @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social
Our study analyzed 465 museum skulls to see how their anatomy helps them share the space. 🧵
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
/w @wildcru.bsky.social @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social
A story on the leopard cat in Singapore is featured in Our Wild Neighbours by Yap Seow Choong (in Chinese). Also honored to be featured as a wildlife researcher in it!
Available in bookstores and online stores.
Available in bookstores and online stores.
July 10, 2025 at 6:04 AM
A story on the leopard cat in Singapore is featured in Our Wild Neighbours by Yap Seow Choong (in Chinese). Also honored to be featured as a wildlife researcher in it!
Available in bookstores and online stores.
Available in bookstores and online stores.
We often hear of humans feeding wildlife, but occasionally the tables are turned!
Towers et al. reviews attempts by wild killer whales to provision people with food items.
Fish, a whole seal, and even seaweed!
I want to be fed by a killer whale!
dx.doi.org/10.1037/com0...
Towers et al. reviews attempts by wild killer whales to provision people with food items.
Fish, a whole seal, and even seaweed!
I want to be fed by a killer whale!
dx.doi.org/10.1037/com0...
July 4, 2025 at 10:57 AM
We often hear of humans feeding wildlife, but occasionally the tables are turned!
Towers et al. reviews attempts by wild killer whales to provision people with food items.
Fish, a whole seal, and even seaweed!
I want to be fed by a killer whale!
dx.doi.org/10.1037/com0...
Towers et al. reviews attempts by wild killer whales to provision people with food items.
Fish, a whole seal, and even seaweed!
I want to be fed by a killer whale!
dx.doi.org/10.1037/com0...
Reposted by Marcus Chua
Seeking nature in Singapore: guided walks, talks, workshops, etc by nature groups are listed at sg60naturecalendar.wordpress.com
June 27, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Seeking nature in Singapore: guided walks, talks, workshops, etc by nature groups are listed at sg60naturecalendar.wordpress.com
It’s been a memorable month:
Finally finished my mouse-deer dissertation and defense
Qualified for the World Aquatics Masters Championships in SG 2025
Mayhem in Singapore
Penang
Really grateful for everyone who was part of this.
Finally finished my mouse-deer dissertation and defense
Qualified for the World Aquatics Masters Championships in SG 2025
Mayhem in Singapore
Penang
Really grateful for everyone who was part of this.
June 21, 2025 at 5:55 AM
It’s been a memorable month:
Finally finished my mouse-deer dissertation and defense
Qualified for the World Aquatics Masters Championships in SG 2025
Mayhem in Singapore
Penang
Really grateful for everyone who was part of this.
Finally finished my mouse-deer dissertation and defense
Qualified for the World Aquatics Masters Championships in SG 2025
Mayhem in Singapore
Penang
Really grateful for everyone who was part of this.
Reposted by Marcus Chua
More details coming soon, but mark your calendars ...
Breakout meeting for @systbiol.bsky.social The Society of Systematic Biologists - will be Jan 9-11 in Baton Rouge!
Topic is 'The Importance of Natural History Collections'
@jembrown.bsky.social is primary host/organizer
ssb2026.github.io
Breakout meeting for @systbiol.bsky.social The Society of Systematic Biologists - will be Jan 9-11 in Baton Rouge!
Topic is 'The Importance of Natural History Collections'
@jembrown.bsky.social is primary host/organizer
ssb2026.github.io
May 24, 2025 at 11:30 AM
More details coming soon, but mark your calendars ...
Breakout meeting for @systbiol.bsky.social The Society of Systematic Biologists - will be Jan 9-11 in Baton Rouge!
Topic is 'The Importance of Natural History Collections'
@jembrown.bsky.social is primary host/organizer
ssb2026.github.io
Breakout meeting for @systbiol.bsky.social The Society of Systematic Biologists - will be Jan 9-11 in Baton Rouge!
Topic is 'The Importance of Natural History Collections'
@jembrown.bsky.social is primary host/organizer
ssb2026.github.io
Super fascinating Han et al. (2025) found leopard cats occupied human settlements in China for 3,500 years before domestic cats in 600-900 CE.
Evidence include ancient DNA and this super cute 168 BC painting of a supposed leopard cat.
Also, a co-author's name is Miaomiao.
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Evidence include ancient DNA and this super cute 168 BC painting of a supposed leopard cat.
Also, a co-author's name is Miaomiao.
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
May 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Super fascinating Han et al. (2025) found leopard cats occupied human settlements in China for 3,500 years before domestic cats in 600-900 CE.
Evidence include ancient DNA and this super cute 168 BC painting of a supposed leopard cat.
Also, a co-author's name is Miaomiao.
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Evidence include ancient DNA and this super cute 168 BC painting of a supposed leopard cat.
Also, a co-author's name is Miaomiao.
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
I thought it'll be a uniquely Singapore thing, but someone else found leopard cats on reclaimed land—in South Korea!
Lee et al. (2025) tracked leopard cats on grassland and rice fields but they seem to avoid areas of human use.
Adapted 🛰️ maps by me.
doi.org/10.1007/s133...
Lee et al. (2025) tracked leopard cats on grassland and rice fields but they seem to avoid areas of human use.
Adapted 🛰️ maps by me.
doi.org/10.1007/s133...
May 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
I thought it'll be a uniquely Singapore thing, but someone else found leopard cats on reclaimed land—in South Korea!
Lee et al. (2025) tracked leopard cats on grassland and rice fields but they seem to avoid areas of human use.
Adapted 🛰️ maps by me.
doi.org/10.1007/s133...
Lee et al. (2025) tracked leopard cats on grassland and rice fields but they seem to avoid areas of human use.
Adapted 🛰️ maps by me.
doi.org/10.1007/s133...
Reposted by Marcus Chua
The top 10 flying insect clades rule the skies—but defy the rules. Weak or inverted latitudinal diversity gradients leave biogeographers puzzled. Entomologists? Mildly amused. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
May 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The top 10 flying insect clades rule the skies—but defy the rules. Weak or inverted latitudinal diversity gradients leave biogeographers puzzled. Entomologists? Mildly amused. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Tap and zoom.
Whose teeth is this?
Whose teeth is this?
May 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Tap and zoom.
Whose teeth is this?
Whose teeth is this?
I’d like to thank this reviewer who completed their review of our manuscript in one day (!); even before the other invited reviewer responded.
[just hoping it wasn’t a negative one 🤣]
Also this tracking portal is like receiving an Amazon order.
[just hoping it wasn’t a negative one 🤣]
Also this tracking portal is like receiving an Amazon order.
April 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I’d like to thank this reviewer who completed their review of our manuscript in one day (!); even before the other invited reviewer responded.
[just hoping it wasn’t a negative one 🤣]
Also this tracking portal is like receiving an Amazon order.
[just hoping it wasn’t a negative one 🤣]
Also this tracking portal is like receiving an Amazon order.
Thanks Raj for telling the story of what goes on after we pick up a dead animal for science or education at the natural history museum! Kudos to the roadkill network in Singapore too.
Watch out for the nerdy dad jokes.
www.channelnewsasia.com/today/visual...
Watch out for the nerdy dad jokes.
www.channelnewsasia.com/today/visual...
From 100-year-old carcasses to recent roadkill, this museum curator looks after them all | Video
A dead animal can give us clues about climate changes and disease surveillance. CNA TODAY speaks to 41-year-old Marcus Chua, curator of mammals at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, to find ou...
www.channelnewsasia.com
March 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Thanks Raj for telling the story of what goes on after we pick up a dead animal for science or education at the natural history museum! Kudos to the roadkill network in Singapore too.
Watch out for the nerdy dad jokes.
www.channelnewsasia.com/today/visual...
Watch out for the nerdy dad jokes.
www.channelnewsasia.com/today/visual...
Looks like another albino or leucistic mouse-deer has been recorded, this time in Vu Quang National Park in Viet Nam.
From the looks and location, it is likely what we recognise as the lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus kanchil).
vnexpress.net/cheo-cheo-ba...
From the looks and location, it is likely what we recognise as the lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus kanchil).
vnexpress.net/cheo-cheo-ba...
March 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Looks like another albino or leucistic mouse-deer has been recorded, this time in Vu Quang National Park in Viet Nam.
From the looks and location, it is likely what we recognise as the lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus kanchil).
vnexpress.net/cheo-cheo-ba...
From the looks and location, it is likely what we recognise as the lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus kanchil).
vnexpress.net/cheo-cheo-ba...
Google reminded me about this 1k citation milestone today. Carried so hard by my co-authors here. Glad for all the opportunities to do science together and add to the knowledge of this world we live in.
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
Marcus AH Chua - Cited by 1,007
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore; George Mason University - Mammalogy - Conservation Biology - Natural History
scholar.google.com
March 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Google reminded me about this 1k citation milestone today. Carried so hard by my co-authors here. Glad for all the opportunities to do science together and add to the knowledge of this world we live in.
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
scholar.google.com/citations?us...
[New paper] An albino Malayan greater bamboo bat—possibly the first record of albinism in this bamboo hollow-roosting group.
Yes, he's very cute. Unfortunately, he was found in a shoe cabinet and didn't make it. Now a specimen in our museum's mammal collection.
lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/u...
Yes, he's very cute. Unfortunately, he was found in a shoe cabinet and didn't make it. Now a specimen in our museum's mammal collection.
lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/u...
March 2, 2025 at 6:47 PM
[New paper] An albino Malayan greater bamboo bat—possibly the first record of albinism in this bamboo hollow-roosting group.
Yes, he's very cute. Unfortunately, he was found in a shoe cabinet and didn't make it. Now a specimen in our museum's mammal collection.
lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/u...
Yes, he's very cute. Unfortunately, he was found in a shoe cabinet and didn't make it. Now a specimen in our museum's mammal collection.
lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/u...
Cheap and old camera traps are the worst!
Granted, only three models were tested, but it tells us what we don't want to hear. As with most tech, you get what you pay with camera traps.
doi.org/10.1002/ece3...
Granted, only three models were tested, but it tells us what we don't want to hear. As with most tech, you get what you pay with camera traps.
doi.org/10.1002/ece3...
Fox on the Run—Cheaper Camera Traps Fail to Detect Fast‐Moving Mesopredators
Top left: proportion of deer of total deer images taken in light and darkness for each camera trap type. Top right and bottom images: The same deer event as taken by each camera. Notice differences i...
doi.org
February 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Cheap and old camera traps are the worst!
Granted, only three models were tested, but it tells us what we don't want to hear. As with most tech, you get what you pay with camera traps.
doi.org/10.1002/ece3...
Granted, only three models were tested, but it tells us what we don't want to hear. As with most tech, you get what you pay with camera traps.
doi.org/10.1002/ece3...
Singapore Wildcat Action Group: "We would like to monitor the presence of leopard cats in the area near the construction of Singapore’s new airport terminal because of the high number of heavy vehicles in that area."
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/en...
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/en...
Singapore’s only wild cat may have found a new – but dangerous – home
The nocturnal leopard cat has been sighted near the construction of Changi Airport's new terminal. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Singapore Wildcat Action Group: "We would like to monitor the presence of leopard cats in the area near the construction of Singapore’s new airport terminal because of the high number of heavy vehicles in that area."
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/en...
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/en...
Just reviewed a revised manuscript for a mammal journal where it appears that I'm the only reviewer.
I've submitted and reviewed for the journal before and there were always at least 2 reviewers.
Is that the norm now, are reviewers so hard to find, are standards slipping, or all the above?
I've submitted and reviewed for the journal before and there were always at least 2 reviewers.
Is that the norm now, are reviewers so hard to find, are standards slipping, or all the above?
February 4, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Just reviewed a revised manuscript for a mammal journal where it appears that I'm the only reviewer.
I've submitted and reviewed for the journal before and there were always at least 2 reviewers.
Is that the norm now, are reviewers so hard to find, are standards slipping, or all the above?
I've submitted and reviewed for the journal before and there were always at least 2 reviewers.
Is that the norm now, are reviewers so hard to find, are standards slipping, or all the above?
Made this Chinese horror-scope 12 years ago. After a full zodiac cycle, it’s relevant again.
Context: In 2013 the government released plans that a new train line would cut across a nature reserve. Nature folks were concerned. Through engagement, the plans were made more sensitive to nature.
Context: In 2013 the government released plans that a new train line would cut across a nature reserve. Nature folks were concerned. Through engagement, the plans were made more sensitive to nature.
January 31, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Made this Chinese horror-scope 12 years ago. After a full zodiac cycle, it’s relevant again.
Context: In 2013 the government released plans that a new train line would cut across a nature reserve. Nature folks were concerned. Through engagement, the plans were made more sensitive to nature.
Context: In 2013 the government released plans that a new train line would cut across a nature reserve. Nature folks were concerned. Through engagement, the plans were made more sensitive to nature.