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Background: Pangolins are the only mammals that have overlapping scales covering most of their bodies, and they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, biological research, and human health and disease. Previous studies indicated pangolin scale might provide an important mechanical defense to themselves. The origin and exact functions of this unique trait remain a mystery. Using a multi-omics analysis approach, we report a novel functional explanation for how mammalian scales can provide host–pathogen defense. Results: Our data suggest that pangolin scales have a sophisticated structure that could potentially trap pathogens. We identified numerous proteins and metabolites exhibiting antimicrobial activity, which could suggest a role for scales in pathogen defense. Notably, we found evidence suggesting the presence of exosomes derived from diverse cellular origins, including mesenchymal stem cells, immune cells, and keratinocytes. This observation suggests a complex interplay where various cell types may contribute to the release of exosomes and antimicrobial compounds at the interface between scales and viable tissue. These findings indicate that pangolin scales may serve as a multifaceted defense system, potentially contributing to innate immunity. Comparisons with human nail and hair revealed pangolin-specific proteins that were enriched in functions relating to sensing, immune responses, neutrophil degranulation, and stress responses. We demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of key pangolin scale components on pathogenic bacteria by antimicrobial assays. Conclusions: This study identifies a potential role of pangolin scales and implicates scales, as possible determinants of pathogen defense due to their structure and contents. We indicate for the first time the presence of exosomes in pangolin scales and propose the new functions of scales and their mechanisms. This new mechanism could have implications for multiple fields, including providing interesting new research directions and important insights that can be useful for synthesizing and implementing new biomimetic antimicrobial approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is an “endangered” mammal species that is restricted to four range countries of Asia. The ecology and breeding behavior of Indian pangolins is poorly understood due to a lack of scientific data. Due to heavy poaching and illegal killing, the species population has declined drastically in the last decade. Considering the fact that Indian pangolin has low reproductive output, it needs special conservation measures and authentic information about its breeding ecology. We estimated concentrations of three reproductive hormones from scats using ELISA kits in male and female pangolins inhabiting the Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan, to confirm its breeding pattern in its range. Testosterone levels were found elevated from May (0.59 ng/ml) until October (1.28 ng/ml). Oestradiol levels were raised from May (0.59 pg/ml) until December (2.64 pg/ml). Progesterone concentrations were relatively low from January until March but increased from April (4.85 pg/ml) through December (14.0 pg/ml) with highest concentrations (20.13 pg/ml) in September and October. Mean hormone (testosterone, oestradiol and progesterone) concentrations were elevated in winter compared to summer (p < 0.001). The current study is the first one to quantify hormonal levels in this species, and our findings establish the breeding pattern of Indian pangolin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The type II gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH‐II) was first discovered in chicken (Gallus gallus) brain and then shown to be present in many vertebrates. Indeed, its structure is conserved unchanged throughout vertebrate evolution from teleost fish through to mammals suggesting a crucial function. Yet the functional significance has been largely unexplored. Studies in comparative endocrinology show that the GnRH‐II system is differentially functional in mammalian species. Intact GnRH‐II neuropeptide and receptor genes (GnRH2 and GnRH receptor 2 GnRHR2) occur in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus), musk shrews (Suncus murinus) and pigs (Sus scrofa). However, one or other or both of these genes are inactivated in other species, where mutations or remnants affecting GnRH2 neuropeptide and/or type II GnRHR exons are retained in conserved genomic loci. New data from DNA sequencing projects facilitate extensive analysis of species‐specific variation in these genes. Here, we describe GnRH2 and GnRHR2 genes spanning a collection of 21 taxonomic orders, encompassing around 140 species from Primates, Scandentia, Eulipotyphla, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Perissodactyls, Pholidota, Chiroptera, Afrotheria, Xenarthra and Marsupialia. Intact coding exons for both GnRH2 and GnRHR2 occur in monkeys, tree shrews, shrews, moles, hedgehogs, several rodents (degu, kangaroo‐rat, pocket mouse), pig, pecarry and warthog, camels and alpaca, bears, Weddell seal, hyena, elephant, aardvark and marsupials. Inactivating mutations affecting GnRH2 and GnRHR2, some located at conserved sites within exons, occur in species of primates, most rodents, lagomorphs, bovidae, cetaceans, felidae, canidae and other carnivora, pangolins, most bats, armadillo, brushtail and echidna. A functional GnRH‐II system appears retained within several taxonomic families of mammals, but intact retention does not extend to whole taxonomic orders. Defining how endogenous GnRH‐II neuropeptide operates in different mammals may afford functional insight into its actions in the brain, especially as, unlike the type I GnRH system, it is expressed in the mid brain and not the hypothalamus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Indian pangolin, an endangered species found in Pakistan, was studied in the Nowshera district to assess its population and suitable habitat. We used the line transect method and recorded 56 signs of pangolins, including burrows and digging, over a 156 km2 area. The estimated population was very low, with only 29 individuals and a density of 0.013 individuals/km2. The MaxEnt model, which predicts habitat suitability, showed that 12.01% of the area was highly suitable and 13.61% was moderately suitable for the pangolin. To protect this fragile population and available habitat patches, the results obtained in the current study recommend stronger law enforcement and conservation efforts. The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) stands out among the four surviving species of Asian pangolins, being the sole species present in Pakistan and listed as endangered owing to trafficking and illicit commerce. In the present study, we explored the population status of the Indian pangolin and the existing suitable habitats in Nowshera district, Pakistan. We employed the line transect method to confirm the species presence and subsequent population estimation. In a survey effort of 156 km2, a total of 56 signs of Indian pangolin were recorded within the research area. Amongst the 56 signs, 46 were burrows (living burrows (53.57%) and feeding burrows (28.57%)). Digging was observed nine (16.07%) times, along with one direct sighting (1.7%). Our results revealed a population estimate of only 29 pangolins in the Nowshera district, with a population density of 0.013 individuals/km2. Later, MaxEnt was applied to the species' presence points, along with climatic and topographical variables. The MaxEnt model accuracy was good (AUC = 0.811). Of the total area studied, 210 km2 (12.01%) were highly suitable and 238 km2 (13.61%) were moderately suitable habitat for the Indian pangolin. To safeguard the fragile population and habitat of the Indian pangolin, we highly suggest strengthening watch and ward and law enforcement in the study area. By adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses both the direct threats to Indian pangolins and the underlying factors driving their decline, we can effectively protect this endangered species and ensure the preservation of its essential habitats for robust conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is the only member of the order Pholidota found in Pakistan. The current study was designed to compare the mortality rate and causes of mortality of Indian pangolin from eight districts, i.e., four from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and four from Punjab, Pakistan during 2019–2022. Data were collected by using self-designed questionnaires (n = 340) and social media reports. Most of the data were collected from Facebook 53 %, followed by Instagram (22 %), WhatsApp (17 %), and OLX (10 %). Mean and standard deviation were computed for district-wise killing (mean ± SD 15.25 ± 10.21), season-wise killing (mean ± SD 30.50 ± 9.8), month wise killing (mean ± SD 10.38 ± 4.19) and area wise killing (mean ± SD 40.7 ± 17.6). The killing of 179 Indian pangolins was recorded in four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while in Punjab 59 Indian pangolins were killed. According to interviewees, 33 % of the mortality of Indian pangolin was caused by illegal killing followed by human settlement (17 %), agricultural practices (13 %), mites and ticks (11 %), natural mortality (8 %), accidents (7 %), myth (6 %), and floods (5 %). District wildlife departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab arrested many people (KPK n = 83, Punjab n = 57) during 2019–2022. The highest fines were imposed by the Chakwal Wildlife Department, i.e., 20,000–60,000 PKR along with 1–4 months of imprisonment sentences. Eight dead pangolins were recovered among those six were male (75 %) and two were female (25 %). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that PC appears to be influenced the most by mites and ticks (MT), myth, natural mortality (NM) and "flood" given their strong loadings. PC2 was heavily influenced by killed for illegal trade (KFIT), accident, and agriculture practices (AP) due to their significant negative loadings. PC3 has NM and AP as the dominant variables, KFIT, also playing a role but in the opposite direction. PC4 showed strong influences from NM (negative) and flood (positive). We concluded that the illegal killing of Indian pangolin is very high. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these unique and endangered creatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract African pangolins are hunted for their meat and for use in local traditional medicine, as well as for their scales, which are trafficked internationally, especially to growing Asian markets. Pangolin’s population genetic structure can be used to trace the geographic origins of trafficked scales, but substantial sampling gaps across pangolins’ ranges hinder these efforts. In this study, we documented population structure and dynamics in the two species of African pangolin, the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) and the giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) in the underexplored Republic of Congo. Using the mitochondrial control region and two nuclear markers (beta-fibrinogen and titin), we identified high genetic diversity in both species. We document a distinct mitochondrial lineage of the white-bellied pangolin, which was most likely shaped by river barriers together with dynamics of forest refugia related to the climatic shifts during the Pleistocene. We detected population growth in the white-bellied pangolin coinciding with a dry period during the Pleistocene, suggesting some ability for this typically forest-dwelling species to persist under diverse environmental conditions. Using landscape genetics, we found all but one of the pangolins we sampled at bush meat markets originated locally. A single individual appeared to have been imported to Congo from Cameroon. These findings significantly contribute to our understanding of pangolin population biology and local trade dynamics. In addition, our data from a previously unstudied part of pangolins’ ranges will help us to better understand international wildlife trafficking patterns and to target conservation and protection strategies for these highly vulnerable species.

Biological organisms often have remarkable multifunctionality through intricate structures, such as concurrent shape morphing and stiffness variation in the octopus. Soft robots, which are inspired by natural creatures, usually require the integration of separate modules to achieve these various functions. As a result, the whole structure is cumbersome, and the control system is complex, often involving multiple control loops to finish a required task. Here, inspired by the scales that cover creatures like pangolins and fish, we developed a robotic structure that can vary its stiffness and change shape simultaneously in a highly integrated, compact body. The scale-inspired layered structure (SAILS) was enabled by the inversely designed programmable surface patterns of the scales. After fabrication, SAILS was inherently soft and flexible. When sealed in an elastic envelope and subjected to negative confining pressure, it transitioned to its designated shape and concurrently became stiff. SAILS could be actuated at frequencies as high as 5 hertz and achieved an apparent bending modulus change of up to 53 times between its soft and stiff states. We further demonstrated both the versatility of SAILS by developing a soft robot that is amphibious and adaptive and tunable landing systems for drones with the capacity to accommodate different loads. Editor's summary: Animals and plants have the ability to respond dynamically to their environments depending on the requirements for a specific task. Chen et al. have taken inspiration from the scales of pangolins to develop a soft robotic layered structure with capabilities of shape morphing and stiffness variability. The scale-inspired layered structure (SAILS) relies on negative pressure and a high frequency of actuation to morph into shapes and stiffnesses of interest. They demonstrate the potential of SAILS in the form of an amphibious robot capable of swimming and crawling, as well as a drone landing gear capable of varying its stiffness to minimize the impact of landing. —Amos Matsiko [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unprotected areas with endangered species generally face severe human disturbance. Domestic dogs are a special form of human disturbance and are sympatrically distributed with critically endangered Chinese pangolins in remote mountainous regions of Guangdong, China. Conflicts in habitat utilization between domestic dogs and Chinese pangolins have rarely been evaluated, yet these conflicts might result in a decline in population viability in the wild. To address how domestic dogs affect Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) in spatiotemporal niches, we used camera traps to obtain information on the distribution and activity of Chinese pangolins and GPS collars to track free-ranging domestic dog activity in the Wuqinzhang and Pengzhai forest areas of Guangdong, China. Combined with environmental variables, we used individual and cave locations to predict a potentially suitable habitat for Chinese pangolins with Maxent. We used the minimum convex polygon method (MCP) to obtain the home ranges of the domestic dogs. Then, we calculated the overlap between the potentially suitable habitat for Chinese pangolins and the home ranges of free-ranging domestic dogs. In the temporal niche, we compared the daily activity rhythms between domestic dogs and Chinese pangolins and assessed the influences of domestic dogs on Chinese pangolins through avoidance–attraction ratios (AARs). Our results show that the potentially suitable habitat of the Chinese pangolin comprises only approximately 24% of the Wuqinzhang forest area and 12% of the Pengzhai forest area. The percentages of habitat overlap were approximately 48% and 71% in the Wuqinzhang and Pengzhai forest areas, respectively. There was less overlap in the temporal niche between Chinese pangolins and free-ranging domestic dogs, but their AAR was significant. Our results reveal that the Chinese pangolin is facing severe disturbances from free-ranging domestic dogs in spatial niches in unprotected areas. We suggest that assessments of Chinese pangolins' survival status should be conducted as soon as possible, especially in unprotected areas. To expand and optimize established nature reserves for the Chinese pangolin, further strengthening of domestic dog management is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The white-bellied pangolin is subject to intense trafficking, feeding both local and international trade networks. In order to assess its population genetics and trace its domestic trade, we genotyped 562 pangolins from local to large bushmeat markets in western central Africa. We show that the two lineages described from the study region (WCA and Gab) were overlapping in ranges, with limited introgression in southern Cameroon. There was a lack of genetic differentiation across WCA and a significant signature of isolation-by-distance possibly due to unsuspected dispersal capacities involving a Wahlund effect. We detected a c. 74.1–82.5% decline in the effective population size of WCA during the Middle Holocene. Private allele frequency tracing approach indicated up to 600 km sourcing distance by large urban markets from Cameroon, including Equatorial Guinea. The 20 species-specific microsatellite loci provided individual-level genotyping resolution and should be considered as valuable resources for future forensic applications. Because admixture was detected between lineages, we recommend a multi-locus approach for tracing the pangolin trade. The Yaoundé market was the main hub of the trade in the region, and thus should receive specific monitoring to mitigate pangolins' domestic trafficking. Our study also highlighted the weak implementation of CITES regulations at European borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Limited information is available on the occurrence, conservation and management of Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) on Bali and Lombok, Indonesia. Some have even questioned their presence here. Aims: We present an overview of the current knowledge of pangolins on Bali and Lombok. Methods: Information was drawn from camera traps (2023), animal market surveys (1994–2024), and review of occurrence data (museum specimens, iNaturalist, literature), rescues and releases, and seizure data. Key results: We document the presence of wild pangolins from 11 sites in Bali (1994–2023) and 5 sites in Lombok (1939–2022). We document 8 rescues from Bali (2015–2023) but none from Lombok; there have been 11 releases of single pangolins in the forest near the Luhur Besi Kalung temple in Bali (2016–2023). We did not record, or find any records of, pangolins offered for sale in four animal markets in Bali (1994–2024) and Lombok (2018–2024), but there was one seizure of 15 live pangolins in Bali in 2009, and, unusually, limited evidence of trade from Lombok and Bali. Conclusions: There is a paucity of data of pangolins on Lombok, and on Bali the species appears to occur scattered throughout the island, with much of the contemporary information being derived from accidental encounters or rescues and active management of pangolins is largely absent. Implications: Compared to other parts of Indonesia, the conservation status of Sunda pangolins on Bali and Lombok is less bleak, and despite their small size, these two islands on the easternmost edge of the species' range may hold important populations. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal globally and are the poster child of the illegal wildlife trade. We focused on the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok and found Sunda pangolins to be uncommon but widespread, with little evidence of trade. Although small, these two islands on the easternmost edge of the species distribution may turn out to be strongholds for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U Minh wetlands of southern Vietnam in Ca Mau and Kieng Giang provinces are a degraded, peat-swamp wetland mosaic known to retain several globally threatened species. We deployed 83 targeted camera-traps across U Minh Thuong National Park and U Minh Ha National Park from December 2019 to May 2020, and from November 2020 to June 2021, respectively. Our aim was to detect threatened otters, wild cats, and pangolins in each protected area, to identify relative abundance, activity patterns, and what potential threats they may face to inform conservation priorities for park managers. Our results showed that both protected areas harbour significant regionally important populations of globally threatened Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica), and Hairy-nosed otters (Lutra sumatrana). However, Fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) and Large-spotted civet (Viverra megaspila) previously recorded from U Minh Thuong National Park, were not observed, emphasising the probability of local extirpation. Other than wide-ranging species that are less sensitive to human disturbance (i.e., Common palm civets and Leopard cats), all small carnivores were most active in Melaleuca and swamp/Melaleuca habitats in U Minh Thuong, and both the wetland plantations and disturbed forests of U Minh Ha according to their photographic rates. Human and domestic dogs' activity periods in both protected areas overlapped strongly with Hairy-nosed otters, which could influence their dispersal abilities and access to resources. Long-term and short-term threats are discussed with relevance to U Minh ecosystem health and future recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the policy direction for pangolin conservation in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The current prohibitionist approach may not be optimal for conserving the species, as it fails to consider diverse and adaptive management approaches. The article suggests that restricting policy options for pangolins in CITES may hinder optimal national policies and proposes that formal domestic use and/or trade of pangolins could contribute to their conservation under appropriate governance conditions. The authors recommend recognizing the need for context-specific solutions and not removing potential tools for pangolin conservation. [Extracted from the article]

Pangolins (Pholidota, Manidae) are classified as an evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered mammal due to their unique morphology (nail‐like scales and a myrmecophagous diet) and being the victim of heavy poaching and worldwide trafficking. As such, pangolins serve as a textbook example for studying the special phenotypic evolutionary adaptations and conservation genetics of an endangered species. Recent years have demonstrated significant advancements in the fields of molecular genetics and genomics, which have translated to a series of important research achievements and breakthroughs concerning the evolution and conservation genetics of pangolins. This review comprehensively presents the hitherto advances in phylogeny, adaptive evolution, conservation genetics, and conservation genomics that are related to pangolins, which will provide an ample understanding of their diversity, molecular adaptation mechanisms, and evolutionary potentials. In addition, we highlight the priority of investigating species/population diversity among pangolins and suggest several avenues of research that are highly relevant for future pangolin conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The illegal movement of wildlife poses a public health, conservation and biosecurity threat, however there are currently minimal screening tools available at international ports of entry to intercept wildlife trafficking efforts. This review first aimed to explore the screening tools available or under development for the detection of concealed wildlife contraband at international ports, including postal services, airlines, road border crossings and maritime routes. Where evidence was deficient, publications detailing the use of methods to uncover other illicit substances, such as narcotics, weapons, human trafficking, explosives, radioactive materials, or special nuclear material, were compiled and assessed for their applicability to the detection of wildlife. The first search identified only four citations related to the detection of wildlife, however the secondary search revealed 145 publications, including 59 journal articles and 86 conference proceedings, describing screening tools for non-wildlife illicit contraband detection. The screening tools uncovered were analysed for potential fitness for purpose for wildlife contraband detection, to evaluate the feasibility of their implementation and their ease of use. The deficiencies evident in terms of resource availability and research efforts targeting wildlife trafficking highlights a potentially substantial national and international security threat which must be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Researching and developing an automated and intelligent method to monitor the pangolin breeding process can effectively help human observation, analysis, breeding and daily behavior studies of pangolins, and has significant implications for the protection and breeding research of pangolin populations. In this paper, a pangolin breeding attention and temporal relative network (PBATn) was used to monitor and identify the breeding and daily behaviors of pangolins. This study demonstrates that the deep learning system can accurately observe pangolin breeding behavior, rendering it useful for analyzing the behavior of these animals. With declining populations in the wild, captive rescue and breeding have become one of the most important ways to protect pangolins from extinction. At present, the success rate of artificial breeding is low, due to the insufficient understanding of the breeding behavior characteristics of pangolins. The automatic recognition method based on machine vision not only monitors for 24 h but also reduces the stress response of pangolins. This paper aimed to establish a temporal relation and attention mechanism network (Pangolin breeding attention and transfer network, PBATn) to monitor and recognize pangolin behaviors, including breeding and daily behavior. There were 11,476 videos including breeding behavior and daily behavior that were divided into training, validation, and test sets. For the training set and validation set, the PBATn network model had an accuracy of 98.95% and 96.11%, and a loss function value of 0.1531 and 0.1852. The model is suitable for a 2.40 m × 2.20 m (length × width) pangolin cage area, with a nest box measuring 40 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm (length × width × height) positioned either on the left or right side inside the cage. A spherical night-vision monitoring camera was installed on the cage wall at a height of 2.50 m above the ground. For the test set, the mean Average Precision (mAP), average accuracy, average recall, average specificity, and average F1 score were found to be higher than SlowFast, X3D, TANet, TSN, etc., with values of 97.50%, 99.17%, 97.55%, 99.53%, and 97.48%, respectively. The recognition accuracies of PBATn were 94.00% and 98.50% for the chasing and mounting breeding behaviors, respectively. The results showed that PBATn outperformed the baseline methods in all aspects. This study shows that the deep learning system can accurately observe pangolin breeding behavior and it will be useful for analyzing the behavior of these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arboreal camera traps are becoming more commonly used for monitoring wildlife. Pangolins (Order: Pholidota) are a threatened group of mammals that are challenging to monitor across their range. In this study, we assessed the use of arboreal and ground camera traps for monitoring the three pangolin species native to West Africa in the Ziama Man and Biosphere Reserve, Guinea. We fit occupancy models to our data to examine the effect of factors related to camera height and tree height on detection probability. In addition, we evaluated the utility of deploying multiple cameras within the same tree. Our study showed that arboreal camera traps can successfully detect both arboreal pangolin species, with the highest detection in mid-canopy for white-bellied pangolin and mid-to high-canopy for black-bellied pangolins. In addition, our results suggest at least 4–6 cameras deployed on each tree to maximize the opportunity of detecting these species. We did not detect giant pangolins. Further studies are needed to continue improving detection of all three pangolins for monitoring and adaptive management of these heavily harvested and traded species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fence mortalities threaten Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) in South Africa. Temminck's pangolins are bipedal, which leads to contact between their unprotected abdomens and electrified wires. We report findings of an online survey of landowners, managers and conservationists to investigate associations between mortalities, fence type and fence perimeter-area ratio, and between mortalities and concern level reported by respondents. Of 14 recorded taxa, pangolins were the second most reported mortalities, with ground-level electric wired fences having a larger negative impact than other fence types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii Smuts 1832) is vulnerable to extinction due to poaching and trafficking. Recovery of pangolins from the trade and subsequent rehabilitation and release form a core component of pangolin conservation. Post-release monitoring of rehabilitated pangolins through the attachment of very high frequency (VHF) transmitters and satellite devices is carried out to determine the efficacy of release protocols. We report on 14 confirmed and 19 potential incidents of device removal by predators during non-fatal attacks, which occurred over a 6 year period. During this time, 78 devices were deployed 109 times attached to 36 rehabilitated pangolins. These incidents should be considered during the design of future post-release monitoring protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) is the world’s most trafficked mammal and is at risk of extinction. Reducing the illegal wildlife trade requires an understanding of its origins. Using a genomic approach for tracing confiscations and analyzing 111 samples collected from known geographic localities in Africa and 643 seized scales from Asia between 2012 and 2018, we found that poaching pressures shifted over time from West to Central Africa. Recently, Cameroon’s southern border has emerged as a site of intense poaching. Using data from seizures representing nearly 1 million African pangolins, we identified Nigeria as one important hub for trafficking, where scales are amassed and transshipped to markets in Asia. This origin-to-destination approach offers new opportunities to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade and to guide anti-trafficking measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small African pangolins (genus Phataginus) presently face a general decline in population due to reduced survivability resulting from captive breeding failure and trafficking. We here present a postnatal evaluation of skull developmental signaling in a small African pangolin, emphasizing evolutionary trends in ontogeny. Forty digitally processed skulls and foramina magna from different geographic locations were assessed for asymmetry, foramen magnum shape and modularity using geometric and elliptical Fourier analyses. Multivariate regression of log transformed centroid size and the asymmetric component of shape suggested significant asymmetry through ontogeny where size accounted for 81.34% of asymmetric shape changes. Analysis of variance demonstrated low but directional fluctuating asymmetry in dorsal and ventral views. Allometric trajectories followed rostro-caudal and caudo-lateral directions; intercepts for shape/size predictions were parallel. Mahalanobis distances between centroids were significant. Foramen magnum outline descriptors by incremental harmonics revealed that the first four effective PCs defined 96.98% of shape properties, and 3.02% constituted finer details. The studied samples confirmed directional "handedness" and fluctuating asymmetries. Foramen magnum shape assumed priority over size in ontogeny with profound asymmetry (from the 5th harmonic), suggestive of attenuated ability of paired symmetric bilaterality of cranial integration modules. Our observation postulates a rapid cranial evolution in the small African pangolin due to natural selection constraints occasioned by population inconsistencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Babesia is a protozoal, tick-borne parasite that can cause life-threatening disease in humans, wildlife and domestic animals worldwide. However, in Southeast Asia, little is known about the prevalence and diversity of Babesia species present in wildlife and the tick vectors responsible for its transmission. Recently, a novel Babesia species was reported in confiscated Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) in Thailand. To investigate the presence of this parasite in Singapore, we conducted a molecular survey of Babesia spp. in free-roaming Sunda pangolins and their main ectoparasite, the Amblyomma javanense tick. Methods Ticks and tissue samples were opportunistically collected from live and dead Sunda pangolins and screened using a PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia spp. DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene was used to confirm the species of ticks that were Babesia positive. Results A total of 296 ticks and 40 tissue samples were obtained from 21 Sunda pangolins throughout the 1-year study period. Babesia DNA was detected in five A. javanense ticks (minimum infection rate = 1.7%) and in nine different pangolins (52.9%) located across the country. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Babesia 18S sequences obtained from these samples grouped into a single monophyletic clade together with those derived from Sunda pangolins in Thailand and that this evolutionarily distinct species is basal to the Babesia sensu stricto clade, which encompasses a range of Babesia species that infect both domestic and wildlife vertebrate hosts. Conclusions This is the first report documenting the detection of a Babesia species in A. javanense ticks, the main ectoparasite of Sunda pangolins. While our results showed that A. javanense can carry this novel Babesia sp., additional confirmatory studies are required to demonstrate vector competency. Further studies are also necessary to investigate the role of other transmission pathways given the low infection rate of ticks in relation to the high infection rate of Sunda pangolins. Although it appears that this novel Babesia sp. is of little to no pathogenicity to Sunda pangolins, its potential to cause disease in other animals or humans cannot be ruled out. Graphical abstract

Despite the discovery of several closely related viruses in bats, the direct evolutionary progenitor of SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been identified. In this study, we investigated potential animal sources of SARS-related coronaviruses using archived specimens from Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) and Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, and from common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) raised on wildlife farms in Viet Nam. A total of 696 pangolin and civet specimens were screened for the presence of viral RNA from five zoonotic viral families and from Sarbecoviruses using primers specifically designed for pangolin coronaviruses. We also performed a curated data collection of media reports of wildlife confiscation events involving pangolins in Viet Nam between January 2016 and December 2020, to illustrate the global pangolin supply chain in the context of Viet Nam where the trade confiscated pangolins were sampled for this study. All specimens from pangolins and civets sampled along the wildlife supply chains between February 2017 and July 2018, in Viet Nam and tested with conventional PCR assays designed to detect flavivirus, paramyxovirus, filovirus, coronavirus, and orthomyxovirus RNA were negative. Civet samples were also negative for Sarbecoviruses, but 12 specimens from seven live pangolins confiscated in Hung Yen province, northern Viet Nam, in 2018 were positive for Sarbecoviruses. Our phylogenetic trees based on two fragments of the RdRp gene revealed that the Sarbecoviruses identified in these pangolins were closely related to pangolin coronaviruses detected in pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, China. Our curated data collection of media reports of wildlife confiscation events involving pangolins in Viet Nam between January 2016 and December 2020, reflected what is known about pangolin trafficking globally. Pangolins confiscated in Viet Nam were largely in transit, moving toward downstream consumers in China. Confiscations included pangolin scales sourced originally from Africa (and African species of pangolins), or pangolin carcasses and live pangolins native to Southeast Asia (predominately the Sunda pangolin) sourced from neighboring range countries and moving through Viet Nam toward provinces bordering China.

Background: Babesia is a protozoal, tick-borne parasite that can cause life-threatening disease in humans, wildlife and domestic animals worldwide. However, in Southeast Asia, little is known about the prevalence and diversity of Babesia species present in wildlife and the tick vectors responsible for its transmission. Recently, a novel Babesia species was reported in confiscated Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) in Thailand. To investigate the presence of this parasite in Singapore, we conducted a molecular survey of Babesia spp. in free-roaming Sunda pangolins and their main ectoparasite, the Amblyomma javanense tick. Methods: Ticks and tissue samples were opportunistically collected from live and dead Sunda pangolins and screened using a PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia spp. DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene was used to confirm the species of ticks that were Babesia positive. Results: A total of 296 ticks and 40 tissue samples were obtained from 21 Sunda pangolins throughout the 1-year study period. Babesia DNA was detected in five A. javanense ticks (minimum infection rate = 1.7%) and in nine different pangolins (52.9%) located across the country. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Babesia 18S sequences obtained from these samples grouped into a single monophyletic clade together with those derived from Sunda pangolins in Thailand and that this evolutionarily distinct species is basal to the Babesia sensu stricto clade, which encompasses a range of Babesia species that infect both domestic and wildlife vertebrate hosts. Conclusions: This is the first report documenting the detection of a Babesia species in A. javanense ticks, the main ectoparasite of Sunda pangolins. While our results showed that A. javanense can carry this novel Babesia sp., additional confirmatory studies are required to demonstrate vector competency. Further studies are also necessary to investigate the role of other transmission pathways given the low infection rate of ticks in relation to the high infection rate of Sunda pangolins. Although it appears that this novel Babesia sp. is of little to no pathogenicity to Sunda pangolins, its potential to cause disease in other animals or humans cannot be ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species of pangolins occur in Nepal: the Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla and the Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata. They are categorized as Critically Endangered and Endangered, respectively, on the IUCN Red List, and are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 in Nepal. Although both this national law and CITES prohibit pangolin hunting and trade, such trade still occurs. To better understand the patterns of pangolin hunting and trade in Nepal, we analysed data on pangolin seizures gathered from official records, grey literature and verified public media reports dating from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020. A total of 122 pangolin seizures were reported in 27 districts, mostly in the central mid-hills. Seizure cases included 23 live pangolins, 18 whole-body skins with scales and 1,046.7 kg of scales. We estimate a minimum of 1,500 individuals were hunted locally over the 11-year study period. Analysis of the trade network identified the capital city, Kathmandu, as the main pangolin trade hub, with scales being the most commonly seized item. The illegal trade occurred mostly in two regions: central and eastern Nepal, and areas bordering China. The pangolins were hunted mainly from core habitats within rural areas, then transported to the city for trade. These data support the future development of effective law enforcement and policy interventions for this region, to stop the illegal pangolin trade. Greater understanding of the patterns of the local pangolin trade and the identification of hotspot areas and peak hunting seasons will allow us to prioritize areas for future conservation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Endangered giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea is rare and elusive across its Central African range. Because of its solitary and nocturnal nature, the species is difficult to study and so its ecology is little known. Pangolins are considered the most trafficked mammals in the world. Therefore, confirming presence accurately and monitoring trends in distribution and abundance are essential to inform and prioritize conservation efforts. Camera traps are popular tools for surveying rare and cryptic species. However, non-targeted camera-trap surveys yield low camera-trapping rates for pangolins. Here we use camera-trap data from surveys conducted within three protected areas in Uganda to test whether targeted placement of cameras improves giant pangolin detection probability in occupancy models. The results indicate that giant pangolin detection probability is highest when camera traps are targeted on burrows. The median number of days from camera deployment to first giant pangolin detection event was 12, with the majority of events captured within 32 days from deployment. The median interval between giant pangolin events at a camera-trap site was 33 days. We demonstrate that camera-trap surveys can be designed to improve the detection of giant pangolins and we outline a set of recommendations to maximize the effectiveness of efforts to survey and monitor the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolins are some of the most overexploited but least studied mammals. The giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea is the largest of the eight pangolin species, measuring up to 180 cm in length and weighing up to 40 kg. It is a nocturnal, solitary species that occurs at low densities and little is known regarding its biology and ecology. It is distributed widely across the rainforests and forest savannah mosaics of equatorial Africa but its exact range extent is unknown. Apart from a single record in Kenya predating 1971, the eastern limit of its range was thought only to extend to central Uganda and western Tanzania. Here we present three spatially separate records confirming the presence of this species in Kenyan Afromontane forests. The three records are c. 120 km apart and c. 500 km east of the nearest confirmed giant pangolin population in Uganda. These records represent a significant range extension for the species and highlight the biodiversity and conservation importance of the Afromontane forests of western Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight extant species of pangolins are currently recognized. Recent studies found that two mitochondrial haplotypes identified in confiscations in Hong Kong could not be assigned to any known pangolin species, implying the existence of a species. Here, we report that two additional mitochondrial haplotypes identified in independent confiscations from Yunnan align with the putative species haplotypes supporting the existence of this mysterious species/population. To verify the new species scenario we performed a comprehensive analysis of scale characteristics and 138 whole genomes representing all recognized pangolin species and the cryptic new species, 98 of which were generated here. Our morphometric results clearly attributed this cryptic species to Asian pangolins (Manis sp.) and the genomic data provide robust and compelling evidence that it is a pangolin species distinct from those recognized previously, which separated from the Philippine pangolin and Malayan pangolin over 5 Mya. Our study provides a solid genomic basis for its formal recognition as the ninth pangolin species or the fifth Asian one, supporting a new taxonomic classification of pangolins. The effects of glacial climate changes and recent anthropogenic activities driven by illegal trade are inferred to have caused its population decline with the genomic signatures showing low genetic diversity, a high level of inbreeding, and high genetic load. Our finding greatly expands current knowledge of pangolin diversity and evolution and has vital implications for conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of this enigmatic and endangered species from the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of the origin of coronavirus spread like wildfire ever since it wreaked havoc among humankind, and ever since the scientific community has worked tirelessly to trace the history of the virus. In this review, we have tried to compile relevant literature pertaining to the different theories of origin of SARS-CoV-2, hopefully without any bias, and we strongly support the zoonotic origin of the infamous SARS-CoV-2 in bats and its transfer to human beings through the most probable evolutionary hosts, pangolins and minks. We also support the contemporary 'Circulation Model' that simply mirrors the concept of evolution to explain the origin of the virus which, the authors believe, is the most rational school of thought. The most recent variant of SARS-CoV-2, Omicron, has been taken as an example to clarify the concept. We recommend the community to refer to this model for further understanding and delving deep into this mystery of the origin of SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolins form a group of scaly mammals that are trafficked at record numbers for their meat and purported medicinal properties. Despite their conservation concern, knowledge of their evolution is limited by a paucity of genomic data. We aim to produce exhaustive genomic resources that include 3,238 orthologous genes and whole-genome polymorphisms to assess the evolution of all eight extant pangolin species. Robust orthologous gene-based phylogenies recovered the monophyly of the three genera and highlighted the existence of an undescribed species closely related to Southeast Asian pangolins. Signatures of middle Miocene admixture between an extinct, possibly European, lineage and the ancestor of Southeast Asian pangolins, provide new insights into the early evolutionary history of the group. Demographic trajectories and genome-wide heterozygosity estimates revealed contrasts between continental versus island populations and species lineages, suggesting that conservation planning should consider intraspecific patterns. With the expected loss of genomic diversity from recent, extensive trafficking not yet realized in pangolins, we recommend that populations be genetically surveyed to anticipate any deleterious impact of the illegal trade. Finally, we produce a complete set of genomic resources that will be integral for future conservation management and forensic endeavors for pangolins, including tracing their illegal trade. These comprise the completion of whole-genomes for pangolins through the hybrid assembly of the first reference genome for the giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) and new draft genomes (∼43x–77x) for four additional species, as well as a database of orthologous genes with over 3.4 million polymorphic sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolins in Nepal are found mostly in human‐dominated landscapes where their numbers are declining due to illegal hunting and trade. Positive attitudes of local people are believed to be powerful drivers for the conservation of threatened species. We explored local attitudes using a semi‐structured questionnaire survey of 1017 people from 105 villages in rural areas across Nepal to investigate the key factors influencing local attitudes towards pangolins and their conservation. Topography and education level were identified as strong predictors of attitude scores as was geographic variation associated with differences between provinces. Positive attitudes were observed in the majority of respondents from Madhesh Province and Koshi Province in eastern Nepal, in those with higher levels of education and those from the lowland Terai region. Respondents from Karnali Province, western Nepal and those living in the Mid‐hill region, had significantly lower attitude scores. However, a significant number of respondents with negative attitudes towards pangolins in Karnali Province also reported higher levels of illegal hunting. Local stewardship can be promoted through awareness campaigns and alternative livelihood initiatives. Collaboration with local communities and stakeholders as well as their capacity enhancement should be a priority for the sustainable conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With declining populations in the wild, captive rescue and breeding have become one of the most important ways to protect pangolins from extinction. At present, the success rate of artificial breeding is low, due to the insufficient understanding of the breeding behavior characteristics of pangolins. The automatic recognition method based on machine vision not only monitors for 24 h but also reduces the stress response of pangolins. This paper aimed to establish a temporal relation and attention mechanism network (Pangolin breeding attention and transfer network, PBATn) to monitor and recognize pangolin behaviors, including breeding and daily behavior. There were 11,476 videos including breeding behavior and daily behavior that were divided into training, validation, and test sets. For the training set and validation set, the PBATn network model had an accuracy of 98.95% and 96.11%, and a loss function value of 0.1531 and 0.1852. The model is suitable for a 2.40 m × 2.20 m (length × width) pangolin cage area, with a nest box measuring 40 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm (length × width × height) positioned either on the left or right side inside the cage. A spherical night-vision monitoring camera was installed on the cage wall at a height of 2.50 m above the ground. For the test set, the mean Average Precision (mAP), average accuracy, average recall, average specificity, and average F1 score were found to be higher than SlowFast, X3D, TANet, TSN, etc., with values of 97.50%, 99.17%, 97.55%, 99.53%, and 97.48%, respectively. The recognition accuracies of PBATn were 94.00% and 98.50% for the chasing and mounting breeding behaviors, respectively. The results showed that PBATn outperformed the baseline methods in all aspects. This study shows that the deep learning system can accurately observe pangolin breeding behavior and it will be useful for analyzing the behavior of these animals.

The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is the most widely distributed Asian pangolin species, occurring across much of Southeast Asia and in southern China. It is classified as Critically Endangered and is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, which not only negatively impacts wild Sunda pangolin populations but also poses a potential disease risk to other species, including humans and livestock. Here, we aimed to investigate the species' phylogeography across its distribution to improve our understanding of the species' evolutionary history, elucidate any taxonomic uncertainties and enhance the species' conservation genetic management and potential wildlife forensics applications. We sequenced mtDNA genomes from 23 wild Sunda pangolins of known provenance originating from Malaysia to fill sampling gaps in previous studies, particularly in Borneo. To conduct phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of Sunda pangolins across their range, we integrated these newly generated mitochondrial genomes with previously generated mtDNA and nuclear DNA data sets (RAD‐seq SNP data). We identified an evolutionarily distinct mtDNA lineage in north Borneo, estimated to be ~1.6 million years divergent from lineages in west/south Borneo and the mainland, comparable to the divergence time from the Palawan pangolin. There appeared to be mitonuclear discordance, with no apparent genetic structure across Borneo based on analysis of nuclear SNPs. These findings are consistent with the 'out of Borneo hypothesis', whereby Sunda pangolins diversified in Borneo before subsequently migrating throughout Sundaland, and/or a secondary contact scenario between mainland and Borneo. We have elucidated possible taxonomic issues in the Sunda/Palawan pangolin complex and highlight the critical need for additional georeferenced samples to accurately apportion its range‐wide genetic variation into appropriate taxonomic and conservation units. Additionally, these data have improved forensic identification testing involving these species and permit the implementation of geographic provenance testing in some scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mammalian skin exhibits a rich spectrum of evolutionary adaptations. The pilosebaceous unit, composed of the hair shaft, follicle, and the sebaceous gland, is the most striking synapomorphy. The evolutionary diversification of mammals across different ecological niches was paralleled by the appearance of an ample variety of skin modifications. Pangolins, order Pholidota, exhibit keratin-derived scales, one of the most iconic skin appendages. This formidable armor is intended to serve as a deterrent against predators. Surprisingly, while pangolins have hair on their abdomens, the occurrence of sebaceous and sweat glands is contentious. Here, we explore various molecular modules of skin physiology in four pangolin genomes, including that of sebum production. We show that genes driving wax monoester formation, Awat1/2, show patterns of inactivation in the stem pangolin branch, while the triacylglycerol synthesis gene Dgat2l6 seems independently eroded in the African and Asian clades. In contrast, Elovl3 implicated in the formation of specific neutral lipids required for skin barrier function is intact and expressed in the pangolin skin. An extended comparative analysis shows that genes involved in skin pathogen defense and structural integrity of keratinocyte layers also show inactivating mutations: associated with both ancestral and independent pseudogenization events. Finally, we deduce that the suggested absence of sweat glands is not paralleled by the inactivation of the ATP-binding cassette transporter Abcc11, as previously described in Cetacea. Our findings reveal the sophisticated and complex history of gene retention and loss as key mechanisms in the evolution of the highly modified mammalian skin phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolins are globally threatened by unsustainable hunting for local use and illegal international trade, plus habitat loss. In Benin (West Africa), white‐bellied and giant pangolins have experienced a contraction in their distribution areas and population decline during the last two decades. To better understand the factors underlying declines in these species, we investigated extirpation rates of populations over the last 20 years. Because pangolins are elusive species difficult to monitor by standard methods, the status of populations has been assessed through a local ecological knowledge (LEK) approach. We collected information on persistence or extirpation status of pangolins from 156 localities. A binomial model was built to predict population persistence probability as a function of past and ongoing landscape changes, initial abundance (1998), human pressures, and density of the protected area network. The LEK‐based model was highly accurate (97% correct classification rate) in predicting the presence of white‐bellied pangolin in 52 localities where its presence has been confirmed independently. According to model outputs, persistence probability of pangolins is positively related to distance to main road, initial population abundance, and negatively related to deforestation, shrinkage of favorable habitat, and distance to protected areas. When those factors are controlled for, the white‐bellied pangolin has a higher probability of persistence than the giant pangolin. Even assuming no further habitat change, the distribution area of the white‐bellied pangolin is predicted to keep decreasing against an unavoidable extinction of the giant pangolin in Benin in the next two decades. Besides validating the usefulness of LEK as a population assessment method, this study emphasizes that, despite a demonstrated positive effect of protected areas, the current situation is not sustainable for pangolins and calls for urgent conservation actions to stop or reduce overhunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virus spillover remains a major challenge to public health. A panel of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses have been identified in pangolins, while the infectivity and pathogenicity of these pangolin-origin coronaviruses (pCoV) in humans remain largely unknown. Herein, we comprehensively characterized the infectivity and pathogenicity of a recent pCoV isolate (pCoV-GD01) in human cells and human tracheal epithelium organoids and established animal models in comparison with SARS-CoV-2. pCoV-GD01 showed similar infectivity to SARS-CoV-2 in human cells and organoids. Remarkably, intranasal inoculation of pCoV-GD01 caused severe lung pathological damage in hACE2 mice and could transmit among cocaged hamsters. Interestingly, in vitro neutralization assays and animal heterologous challenge experiments demonstrated that preexisting immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination was sufficient to provide at least partial cross-protection against pCoV-GD01 challenge. Our results provide direct evidence supporting pCoV-GD01 as a potential human pathogen and highlight the potential spillover risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malayan pangolin SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus (SARSr-CoV-2) is closely related to SARS-CoV-2. However, little is known about its pathogenicity in pangolins. Using CT scans we show that SARSr-CoV-2 positive Malayan pangolins are characterized by bilateral ground-glass opacities in lungs in a similar manner to COVID-19 patients. Histological examination and blood gas tests are indicative of dyspnea. SARSr-CoV-2 infected multiple organs in pangolins, with the lungs the major target, and histological expression data revealed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were co-expressed with viral RNA. Transcriptome analysis indicated that virus-positive pangolins were likely to have inadequate interferon responses, with relative greater cytokine and chemokine activity in the lung and spleen. Notably, both viral RNA and viral proteins were detected in three pangolin fetuses, providing initial evidence for vertical virus transmission. In sum, our study outlines the biological framework of SARSr-CoV-2 in pangolins, revealing striking similarities to COVID-19 in humans. Author summary: SARS-CoV-2 has caused a severe and ongoing global pandemic. To date, bats and pangolins are the only groups of mammals known carry SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoV-2). Although the SARSr-CoV-2 detected in confiscated Malayan pangolins from Guangdong, China (PCoV-GD) has lower sequence similarity to SARS-CoV-2 than some bat-derived viruses, its receptor-binding domain within the S protein that binds to host ACE2 receptors for entry into cells is almost identical to that of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we determined the pathogenicity, tissue tropism and transcriptional response of PCoV-GD in deceased adult Malayan pangolins and their fetuses. Notably, virus-positive pangolins showed ground-glass opacities in their lungs similar to COVID-19 pneumonia and blood gas tests that were indicative of dyspnea. We detected viral RNA in multiple pangolin tissues, including liver, intestine, heart, kidney, spleen and skeletal muscle. This is similar to autopsy reports in COVID-19 patients and is associated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The virus-positive pangolins showed an inadequate interferon response. In addition, PCoV-GD was detected in pangolin fetuses, suggesting the potential vertical transmission of the virus in utero. In sum, Malayan pangolins infected with a PCoV-GD display a pathology that is strikingly similar to human COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolin species are notoriously difficult to detect and monitor in the wild and, as a result, commonly used survey techniques fall short in gathering sufficient data to draw confident conclusions on pangolin populations, conservation status, and natural history. The white‐bellied pangolin is a semiarboreal species that may be poorly detected in general mammal surveys even with modern techniques such as camera‐trapping. As a result, population status information is often derived from hunting, market, and trafficking data. There is therefore a crucial need to improve camera‐trap survey methods to reliably detect this species in its natural environment. Here, we test the influence of camera‐trap placement strategy on the detectability of the white‐bellied pangolin by comparing estimates from targeted ground‐viewing camera‐trapping and a novel log‐viewing placement strategy adapted from local hunters' knowledge. Our results suggest that (1) deploying camera‐traps to detect animals walking along logs is an effective strategy for recording several forest species, including the white‐bellied pangolin, and (2) that camera‐traps targeting logs are more efficient at detecting white‐bellied pangolins than camera‐traps viewing the ground (>100% increase in detection probability). We also found moderate evidence that there is a relationship between the white‐bellied pangolin occurrence at our locality and elevation and weak evidence of an association with distance to the nearest river. Our results suggest an effective new monitoring approach allowing consistent detection of the white‐bellied pangolin with moderate survey effort. This highlights the importance of harnessing local knowledge to guide the design of monitoring protocols for cryptic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife is reservoir of emerging viruses. Here we identified 27 families of mammalian viruses from 1981 wild animals and 194 zoo animals collected from south China between 2015 and 2022, isolated and characterized the pathogenicity of eight viruses. Bats harbor high diversity of coronaviruses, picornaviruses and astroviruses, and a potentially novel genus of Bornaviridae. In addition to the reported SARSr-CoV-2 and HKU4-CoV-like viruses, picornavirus and respiroviruses also likely circulate between bats and pangolins. Pikas harbor a new clade of Embecovirus and a new genus of arenaviruses. Further, the potential cross-species transmission of RNA viruses (paramyxovirus and astrovirus) and DNA viruses (pseudorabies virus, porcine circovirus 2, porcine circovirus 3 and parvovirus) between wildlife and domestic animals was identified, complicating wildlife protection and the prevention and control of these diseases in domestic animals. This study provides a nuanced view of the frequency of host-jumping events, as well as assessments of zoonotic risk. Monitoring the diversity of viruses infecting animals is important for assessing zoonotic risk. Here, the authors use metatranscriptomics to characterise the viromes of small mammals, pangolins, and zoo animals in China to identify potentially zoonotic viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolins are among the most extensively traded taxa in southeastern Asia mainly due to the perceived medicinal value of their scales and other body parts, putting them at risk of extinction, however, little is known about their trade status in Nepal. The purpose of the study was to assess the status of pangolin trade in Makwanpur district of Nepal. Semi-structured interview with household (n = 90), key informant survey (n = 15), Four focus group discussion at each study site was conducted. Seizure data (2015-2019) were gathered from the law enforcement agencies to identify and analyze the major trade routes. The majority of the respondents (63%) were well aware of the protection status of pangolins. Further, our study found that historically local peoples used pangolin body parts in making rings, bags, jackets, and musical instruments but at present they stopped it. Pangolin traders were typically middle-aged men and unemployed youth. Majority of the hunting was found to be opportunistic but when pangolins were caught, they were generally sold for additional income. Currently, the seizure data has shown the declining trend of pangolin trade within the Makwanpur district. Community forest user groups and community based anti-poaching units are working actively for the conservation and promulgation of threatened pangolins in the Makwanpur district which had long served as a major trade route to China. Thus, we advocate strengthening border security and the formation of community-based anti-poaching units, followed by mobilization, anti-poaching trainings, security assurance, and incentives for worthy conservation results in pangolin-rich communities. Further, we recommend sustained conservation awareness programs, in addition to alternative livelihood opportunities, for the long-term conservation of pangolins and their habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is a global pandemic of zoonotic origin that has affected more than 620 million people and is caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. This is a compilation of recent literature on the characteristics, genome, epidemiology, transmission, interspecies transmission, interspecies barrier jumping, genetic characteristics and evolutionary potential of this virus. Some evidence suggests that the virus uses ACE2 to infect various wild animals such as bats, ferrets, pangolins, monkeys, mink, snakes, tigers and lions; and domestic animals such as cats, dogs, cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep and pigeons. However, they can jump the species barrier and infect humans. In addition, coronaviruses can adapt to any ecosystem, especially in wild environments, where they can be maintained through a transmission network in various wild and domestic animals, but they can break paradigms at any time. SARS-CoV-2 has caused a great impact on health systems and economies on all continents, but it is also causing radical damage, changes in habits and common lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is impacting mammals both directly (for example, through increased heat) and indirectly (for example, through altered food resources). Understanding the physiological and behavioural responses of mammals in already hot and dry environments to fluctuations in the climate and food availability allows for a better understanding of how they will cope with a rapidly changing climate. We measured the body temperature of seven Temminck's pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) in the semi-arid Kalahari for periods of between 4 months and 2 years. Pangolins regulated body temperature within a narrow range (34–36°C) over the 24-h cycle when food (and hence water, obtained from their prey) was abundant. When food resources were scarce, body temperature was regulated less precisely, 24-h minimum body temperatures were lower and the pangolins became more diurnally active, particularly during winter when prey was least available. The shift toward diurnal activity exposed pangolins to higher environmental heat loads, resulting in higher 24-h maximum body temperatures. Biologging of body temperature to detect heterothermy, or estimating food abundance (using pitfall trapping to monitor ant and termite availability), therefore provide tools to assess the welfare of this elusive but threatened mammal. Although the physiological and behavioural responses of pangolins buffered them against food scarcity during our study, whether this flexibility will be sufficient to allow them to cope with further reductions in food availability likely with climate change is unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese pangolin is a critically endangered and biologically unique species, yet information on its status, distribution, and habitat preferences is still scarce in Nepal, which limits effective conservation action. This study identified the current burrow density status, distribution pattern, and important habitat parameters associated with Chinese pangolin distribution in Nepal through opportunistic field surveys. Fifty‐four belt transects were examined for the presence of pangolin burrows. For each active burrow (burrow with freshly dug soil, footprints, and scat near the entrance) and old burrow (burrow with compacted soil, presence of dead leaves, and spider web in the entrance), we recorded the geographic coordinates and assessed data on 11 habitat parameters that included elevation, aspect, slope, canopy cover, ground cover, presence or absence of ant and termite colonies, habitat type, soil type, and distances to the nearest water source, road, and settlement. A total of 141 active burrows and 430 old burrows were recorded with an overall clumped distribution S2/a=2.188$$ \left\{\left({S}^2/a\right)=2.188\right\} $$. Active burrow density was estimated to be 1.04 burrows/ha. Of the 11 habitat parameters predicted to influence the probability of encountering pangolin burrows, all parameters were significant except elevation. More than 92% of the burrows were found at elevations between 450 and 750 m and facing either the SE or NW aspect. Similarly, about 90% of the burrows were distributed in areas having slopes between 0% and 30% with moderate to high canopy and ground cover, and located close to water sources, roads, and settlements. Additionally, they strongly preferred forest habitats (with Shorea robusta, Castanopsis indica, Schima wallichii, Clerodendron infortunatum, and Nephrolepis auriculata as the dominant vegetation), areas with red soil, and areas located near ant and termite colonies. Although the study area currently provides suitable habitat for Chinese pangolins, it is slowly being degraded due to increasing rates of forest degradation. Conservation efforts should be increased in order to protect this critically endangered species and their preferred habitats. Finally, our findings reveal the preferred habitat characteristics of Chinese pangolins, which could be instrumental for policy makers and forest managers in making conservation plans for Chinese pangolins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolins are one of nature's most fascinating species being scales covered and myrmecophagous diet, yet relatively little is known about the molecular basis. Here, we combine the multi-omics, evolution, and fundamental proteins feature analysis of both Chinese and Malayan pangolins, highlighting the molecular mechanism of both myrmecophagous diet and scale formation, representing a fascinating evolutionary strategy to occupy the unique ecological niches. In contrast to conserved organization of epidermal differentiation complex, pangolin has undergone large scale variation and gene loss events causing expression pattern and function conversion that contribute to cornified epithelium structures on stomach to adapt myrmecophagous diet. Our assemblies also enable us to discover large copies number of high glycine-tyrosine keratin–associated proteins (HGT-KRTAPs). In addition, highly homogenized tandem array, amino content, and the specific expression pattern further validate the strong connection between the molecular mechanism of scale hardness and HGT-KRTAPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]