While conducting a DNA analysis of confiscated Pangolins, Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata have identified a new species of Asian pangolin. Researchers have proposed naming this new species the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica). These unique creatures, often described as scaly anteaters, are renowned for their distinctive appearance and essential ecological roles. This discovery not only adds to our knowledge of these solitary creatures but also highlights the crucial need for understanding and conserving these incredible animals.
Pangolins are mammals that belong to the family Manidae and are found in Africa and Asia. There are eight different species of pangolins: four in Africa and four in Asia. They are unique because they are the only mammals covered in large, protective keratin scales, which they use as armour, curling up into a ball when threatened by predators. Pangolins are specialized for living secretive lives. They are myrmecophagous, meaning they primarily eat ants and termites, using their long, sticky tongues to capture these insects. Additionally, pangolins are fossorial, which means they are adapted for digging and creating burrows where they often reside.
Pangolins are among the most trafficked animals globally, partly due to the demand for their scales in traditional medicine and as luxury items. They can also be considered as environmental indicators. Their presence and health reflect the state of the ecosystem. By studying these animals, scientists can gain insights into the overall health of their environments.
In this study, scientists investigated the genetic diversity within Asian pangolins by analyzing the mitochondrial DNA. This type of DNA is particularly useful for studying evolutionary relationships because it is inherited mostly unchanged from mothers to their offspring. The research team analyzed the DNA of 41 individual pangolins, including eight new samples they had sequenced. This extensive data allowed them to uncover a hidden lineage within the pangolin family tree. Their analysis suggested that this new group of pangolins diverged, or split off, from the Chinese pangolin about 3.4 million years ago, during the Pliocene Epoch.
To determine if the Indo-Burmese pangolin is truly a separate species, scientists used several methods: The researchers measured how different the DNA of the Indo-Burmese pangolins is from their closest relatives the Chinese pangolins - a measure called genetic distance. By using tools like ABGD (Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery) analysis, they found that the genetic differences were substantial enough to justify the classification of a new species. The barcode gap observed was 3.8%, an indicator of significant genetic differences. Next, scientists used the entire mitochondrial genome to build a phylogenetic tree, a diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among species. This visual representation confirmed that the Indo-Burmese pangolin forms its branch on the tree, separate from other pangolin species.
The researchers believe that the formation of the Indo-Burmese pangolin may be tied to dramatic geo-climatic changes in the region where they live. During the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs, significant climatic transitions, including the uplift of the Tibetan plateau, altered the landscape and climate. This created isolated habitats, or refugia, where species could evolve independently due to reproductive isolation – they were trapped away from other populations and evolved unique characteristics over many generations, leading to the development of a new species.
While this discovery is a significant step forward, more research is critical to fully understanding the Indo-Burmese pangolin. Scientists need to study its habitat, dietary needs, and threats to understand the lives of these solitary creatures. The continuous study and monitoring of pangolins, especially in light of threats like poaching and habitat destruction, are crucial. Innovative conservation measures, informed by scientific research such as this study, are needed to protect these remarkable mammals from extinction.
This research news was partly generated using artificial intelligence and edited by an editor at Research Matters