Hematological parameters of four Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla)

Hematological, differential, and blood chemistry values were determined in four Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla), both at the time of their arrival and after more than 1 year in captivity. The data presented were derived from two samples obtained from each of four animals, and they provide a preliminary basis for comparison with clinical blood values from this and other pangolin species. No peculiar features were identified that distinguish this species from other mammals.     

中国穿山甲与爪哇穿山甲甲片异速生长分析及其在司法鉴定中的应用

甲片对于穿山甲具有重要的防护功能,其形态差异反映了穿山甲对不同环境的适应性进化。该文对35只中国穿山甲和119只爪哇穿山甲甲片干重的异速生长模式进行了比较分析。结果表明,爪哇穿山甲较中国穿山甲的甲片干重相对于头体长具有更高的异速生长速率(P=0.005):爪哇穿山甲的甲片干重相对于头体长具有正的异速生长速率(b=3.725,P=0.001),而中国穿山甲的甲片干重相对于头体长则是等速生长(b=3.105,P=0.054)。这可能是由于较低纬度地区生活的爪哇穿山甲较较高纬度地区生活的中国穿山甲受到了更大的捕食压力影响。由于穿山甲甲片是一种重要传统中药材原料,相关违法贸易案件频发,且数量巨大。为推算穿山甲的涉案个体数量,建议这两种穿山甲甲片干重与个体数的换算标准为中国穿山甲573.47g,爪哇穿山甲360.51g,但是当两种穿山甲大量甲片混合在一起时,建议采用上述两个参数的平均值,即466.99g,以此为穿山甲甲片贸易案件的司法鉴定以及司法审判中的定罪量刑提供依据。     

海南尖峰岭中华穿山甲的分布与保护现状

中华穿山甲(Manis pentadactyla)是国家I级重点保护野生动物, 被IUCN红色名录列为极危(CR)物种, 也被列入CITES附录I。分布现状信息的匮乏是制约该物种保护规划制定与保护行动开展的关键因素。本文利用红外相机陷阱法和样线调查法, 于2020年8月至2021年11月在海南尖峰岭林区进行中华穿山甲海南亚种(M. p. pusilla)的监测调查, 分析评估了其分布与保护现状。调查发现: (1)尖峰岭林区7个公里网格内的8台红外相机拍摄到10次中华穿山甲出没的影像, 且在11个网格内见到35个觅食洞穴, 其中在红外相机损失率较低的南中区域记录到的中华穿山甲实体数量和洞穴数最多; (2)中华穿山甲主要分布于尖峰岭林区400-1,000 m海拔区域, 林区的国家公园一般控制区内仍然有3台红外相机拍摄到中华穿山甲及调查记录到18个觅食洞穴。结果表明: 海南尖峰岭林区仍然存在中华穿山甲种群, 目前可能被海拔等因素隔离为3个小种群; 人为干扰是影响该物种种群恢复的重要因素之一。因此, 本文提出如下建议: (1)管理部门要落实各项管护制度并加强巡护管理力度以把人为干扰程度降到最低; (2)管理部门在今后国家公园总体规划调整时可将有中华穿山甲等极危物种分布的一般控制区调整为核心保护区, 而在未调整规划前则要重点加强该区域的管理, 对建设项目布局等要尽量避开该区域; (3)尽快开展尖峰岭林区中华穿山甲的生境适宜性分析及廊道研究, 以使该物种得到更有效的保护和管理; (4)今后要定期开展其监测与保护研究, 明确尖峰岭林区中华穿山甲种群数量的动态变化; (5)在海南岛范围内开展中华穿山甲资源调查, 明确该物种在海南的种群数量及分布等情况。     

Biology,husbandry, and veterinary care of captive Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla)

We report observations on the biology, diet, husbandry, and veterinary care of four adult Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) maintained at the University of California, San Diego, for 1.5 years; and the births of two baby pangolins. Experience indicates that the minimum requirements for Chinese pangolins is an enclosure 10–12 m², 26°C ambient temperature, a nest box with sand floor, and litter boxes placed in one or two corners of the enclosure for defecation and urination. A diet of two cans of cat food (Science Diet or ZuPreem), 6 tablespoons Esbilac, 2 tablespoons psyllium seed powder, and two raw egg yolks provide adequate nutrition for four pangolins for 1–2 days. Veterinary care should include a complete physical examination of integument and organ systems, determination of blood values, fecal analysis, and treatment with the anthelmintic thiabendazole for elimination of internal parasites. Parasites observed in the four pangolins included Strongyloides, hookworms, filarial nematodes (species unidentified), and nematodes of the genus Cylicospirura. The baby pangolins were born in November (male) and February (female), weighed 93 g and 92 g at birth, and lived 1 and 5 days, respectively. All adult pangolins observed strictly nocturnal behavior patterns.     

大雾岭保护区穿山甲冬季生境选择

1999年12月至2001年2月,对大雾岭自然保护区穿山甲冬季栖息地的选择进行了研究,结果表明对林型选择的先后次序为针阔混交林、灌木丛、常绿阔叶林、针叶林;最偏爱针阔混交林,最不喜爱针叶林.多选择陡坡(30～ 60°);干扰源距离较远(>1 000 m),干扰程度小;林下草灌层盖度高(81% ～ 100%),隐蔽程度好; 阳坡或半阴半阳坡;中低海拔(760 ～ 1 500 m);中下坡位;水源距离较近(<500 m);乔木郁闭度适中(31% ～ 70%)的生境.较少选择上坡位,林下草灌层中低(0 ～ 50%),乔木郁闭度偏高(71%～ 100%)或偏低(0～ 30%),阴坡的生境.对洞口设置的要求是多朝南,而且要求隐蔽条件好,多数为全隐蔽或半隐蔽;最不喜爱将洞口设置在裸露、隐蔽程度差的生境,强力避免洞口向北.坡度、干扰源距离和林下草灌层盖度是影响穿山甲冬季栖息地选择的关键环境因子.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in pangolins (Mammalia,Pholidota, Manis spp.)

Thirty‐four polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci were developed in the Malayan pangolin Manis javanica. Of the 34 markers, 32 and 18 were also amplified, respectively, in the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and the African tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). Analysis of 24 Malayan, 12 Chinese and 2 African tree pangolins showed high levels of variability (heterozygosity ranging from 0.321 to 0.708). These are the first available microsatellite markers in Pholidota and will be an invaluable tool for evolutionary and conservation genetic studies in pangolins.     

Estimating occupancy of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in a protected and non‐protected area of Nepal

Chinese pangolin is the world's most heavily trafficked small mammal for luxury food and traditional medicine. Although their populations are declining worldwide, it is difficult to monitor their population status because of its rarity and nocturnal behavior. We used site occupancy (presence/absence) sampling of pangolin sign (i.e., active burrows) in a protected (Gaurishankar Conservation Area) and non‐protected area (Ramechhap District) of central Nepal with multiple environmental covariates to understand factors that may influence occupancy of Chinese pangolin. The average Chinese pangolin occupancy and detection probabilities were  ± SE = 0.77 ± 0.08;  ± SE = 0.27 ± 0.05, respectively. The detection probabilities of Chinese pangolin were higher in PA (  ± SE = 0.33 ± 0.03) than compared to non‐PA (  ± SE = 0.25 ± 0.04). The most important covariates for Chinese pangolin detectability were red soil (97%), food source (97.6%), distance to road (97.9%), and protected area (97%) and with respect to occupancy was elevation (97.9%). We recommended use of remote cameras and potentially GPS collar surveys to further investigate habitat use and site occupancy at regular intervals to provide more reliable conservation assessments.     

中华穿山甲的研究及保护现状

通过查阅中华穿山甲Manis pentadactyla研究的文献,从形态分类学、生态学、遗传学几方面综述了中华穿山甲的研究现状.结合当前中华穿山甲的研究状况,建议应加强和深入其相关领域的基础研究工作,以此来澄清其分类地位问题,提供其资源保护的有效的科学理论依据和解决其资源保护与利用的矛盾问题.     

New feasible quarantine disinfestation using ethyl formate for termites and ants on imported lumber

The interception of exotic ants and termites from stone and lumber imported into Korea is on the rise, including Solenopsis invicta. Currently, a relatively long exposure (24 h) of methyl bromide (MB) fumigation is the only practical disinfestation option for exotic ants and termites on imported stone and lumber. In this study, ethyl formate (EF) wase evaluated as a potential MB alternative to disinfest ants and termites in imported lumber, with a focus on S. invicta. As S. invicta is not established in Korea, we first determined whether Reticulitermes speratus, established in Korea, could be considered as an EF surrogate of S. invicta. From 1 h EF fumigation trials, workers of S. invicta were more sensitive to EF than those of R. speratus based on lethal concentration × time causing 99% mortality (LCt_99%), supporting that R. speratus can be used as an EF surrogate of S. invicta. When R. speratus workers were further fumigated with EF for 4 h at four different temperatures, LCt_99% values for R. speratus workers were 108.00, 63.31, 77.24, and 67.24 g h/m³ at 2, 5, 13, and 23 °C, respectively. From scale-up (0.65 m³) and commercial scale (76.4 m³) trials containing two infestation-prone lumber species, lauan (Shorea spp.) and acacia (Acacia spp.), 140 g/m³ EF at >5 °C for 4 h resulted in the complete control of R. speratus workers, suggesting that 140 g/m³ 4 h-EF-fumigation may be applicable as a potential MB-alternative treatment for disinfestation of invasive S. invicta on imported lumber.     

Genetic diversity in the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) inferred from protein electrophoresis

We examined protein polymorphism of Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) from Yunnan Province of China, including two forms of three brown and nine dusky Chinese pangolins. Sixty-two genetic loci were screened; 12 loci were found to be polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P) is 0.194, the mean individual heterozygosity (H) is 0.078, and the mean number of alleles (A) is 1.258. Furthermore, we calculated the genetic distance (D) between the two forms and found a low level of genetic divergence (D=0.0206) between them, which indicates an almost-indistinguishable divergence at the level of proteins.     

Time-budgets and activity patterns of captive Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica)

This is the first assessment of Manis javanica behavior in captivity. The aim of the investigation was to assess behavior in order to suggest ways of improving captive care and management of the species. This was undertaken by constructing time-budgets and activity patterns and identifying any abnormal repetitive behavior (ARB) exhibited. Scan and focal animal sampling were implemented in observations of seven subjects. Analyses detailed idiosyncrasies in how subjects partitioned their active time. Peak activity occurred between 18:00 and 21:00 hr. Two ARBs, clawing and pacing, were identified and the cessation of clawing in one subject was possible by modifying its enclosure. Stress-related behavior, understood to be related to several factors, means maintaining this species in captivity remains problematic. Recommendations are made pertaining to husbandry, captive management, and future research.     

Monitoring the gestation period of rescued Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla) with progesterone radioimmunoassay

Eight species of pangolin have been identified in the world. However, understanding of pangolin reproductive biology has been limited to fragmentary records. In this study, the concentration of serum progesterone in three pregnant and two nonpregnant rescued female Formosan pangolins (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla) was monitored using a commercial progesterone radioimmunoassay kit. During gestation, the serum progesterone of pregnant pangolins A, B, and C remained at 28.5–55 ng/ml (n = 31 samples), 10.9–50.1 ng/ml (n = 34), and 12.4 and 33.5 ng/ml with a peak at 47.6 ng/ml (n = 19), respectively, whereas the serum progesterone of nonpregnant pangolins D and E remained at 1.99 ± 1.62 ng/ml (n = 80) and 2.27 ± 1.64 ng/ml (n = 27), respectively. From this study, it was found that female pangolin weighing as low as 2.14 kg was already capable of reproduction. For pregnant pangolins to give birth to viable offspring, their body weight must increase significantly, 63.89 and 134.0% in the study, from the time of inception or early pregnancy until parturition. In addition, study has found that both viable offspring were born fully developed and exceeded 80 g in weight. The period of gestation was found to be as short as 318 or longer than 372 days. Therefore, the Formosan pangolin should only be able to reproduce once a year. This study is the first insight into hormone assay for determining the gestation period of pangolin. Further investigations on the same subject are necessary to establish criteria for the recognition of reproductive status in pangolins. Zoo Biol 31:479–489, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

2010-2020年中华穿山甲在中国的发现记录及保护现状

中国是中华穿山甲(Manis pentadactyla)历史分布区面积和野生种群数量最大的国家.中华穿山甲曾广泛见于我国长江以南各省,但20世纪中期以来,由于其甲片被作为贵重的中药材原料,加之地下野味市场的需求,大量非法捕猎使得我国野生穿山甲经历了剧烈的分布区缩减和种群下降.目前,中华穿山甲已被列为我国一级重点保护野生...     

Foraging behaviour and ecology of the Cape pangolin (Manis temminckii) in north‐western Zimbabwe

An ethogram was developed for the foraging Cape pangolin in order to construct activity budgets. Behaviour was classified into seven categories and nine types of feeding sites were recorded. Activity budgets of animals foraging in different vegetation types are presented to illustrate the importance of vegetation on behaviour patterns and feeding site utilization. Availability of feeding sites may depend on the vegetation type with trees, shrubs and woody debris comprising most feeding sites. Seven prey species were recorded. One animal displayed strictly diurnal activity which suggests greater variability in activity patterns than previously thought.     

The addition of soil and chitin into Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) diets affect digestibility,faecal scoring,mean retention time and body weight

Pangolins (Manis spp.) are myrmecophagous mammals with a wild diet of termites and ants. Diets are not yet readily acceptable by all pangolins and lack soil and chitin compared to their wild diet. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of including soil and chitin in pangolin diets by measuring changes in digestibility, food mean retention time, faecal scoring and body weight changes. Two male and two female Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) from Night Safari (Singapore) were fed their typical gruel-type diets, with soil and chitin added in various amounts throughout 10 different treatments. Diet intake was calculated daily and faecal boluses were collected for digestibility analysis. Chromium oxide was added to the diet to measure mean retention time four times per animal per treatment. Faecal consistency scores were recorded daily where 1 is firm and 5 is liquid. Every animal was weighed weekly. Adding soil or chitin to the diet had various effects on the apparent digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and fiber with little effects on crude fat or calcium. Soil had a general positive influence on organic matter and fiber digestion. The addition of chitin and soil together had the stronger effects. Only at 25% inclusion of soil did the faecal score begin to improve. The overall maintenance energy requirements for adult M. javanica was 79.28 Kcal/kg BW^0.75/day, similar to other myrmecophagous mammals. The usage of soil and chitin in pangolin diets may be helpful in controlling weights while preventing behaviours associated with hunger.     

Construction, characterization and FISH mapping of a bacterial artificial chromosome library of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)

Chinese pangolins as a representative species in the order Pholidota have highly specified morphological characters and occupy an important place in the mammalian phylogenetic tree. To obtain genomic data for this species, we have constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of Chinese pangolin. The library contains 208,272 clones with an average insert size of 122.1 kb and represents approximately eight times the Chinese pangolin haploid genome (if we assume that the Chinese pangolins have a genome size similar to human). One hundred and twenty randomly-selected BAC clones were mapped onto Chinese pangolin chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), showing a largely unbiased chromosomal distribution. Several clones containing repetitive DNA and ribosomal DNA genes were also found. The BAC library and FISH mapped BAC clones are useful resources for comparative genomics and cytogenetics of mammals and in particular, the ongoing genome sequencing project of Chinese pangolins.     

Genetic diversity in the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla): Inferred from restriction enzyme analysis of mitochondrial DNAs

Two different forms of Chinese pangolins can be recognized according to the color of their scales, i.e., brown and dusky. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) purified from the livers of seven dusky and six brown Chinese pangolins from the same locality, using cleavage patterns from 19 restriction enzymes. From the 19 6-bp recognition enzymes used, 51–56 sites were observed. By combining the cleavage patterns for each enzyme, the 13 samples were classified into four restriction types: two in dusky and two in brown Chinese pangolins. The estimated number of nucleotide substitutions per site in dusky and brown types is 0.002, and that between dusky and brown types is 0.012. Divergence between brown and dusky forms began 0.6 Myr ago, provided the mean rate of sequence divergence is 0.02 per Myr in mtDNA. Our results suggest that there is considerable divergence in Chinese pangolins, and brown and dusky Chinese pangolins may be quite different forms or, at least, belong to different maternal groups.