Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified a new species of Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica).
About Indo-Burmese pangolin
- The Indo-Burmese pangolin diverged from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) approximately 3.4 million years ago.
- Evolution was influenced by geoclimatic changes in the Indo-Burma region, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot.
- The discovery was detailed in the paper “Indo‐Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica): a novel phylogenetic species of pangolin evolved in Asia” published in the journal Mammalian Biology.
- The species likely evolved in isolation during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs due to climatic and geological shifts.
- It is distributed across parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and potentially Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
About Pangolins
- Pangolins are solitary, nocturnal mammals easily identified by their armor of scales and are often called “scaly anteaters” due to their diet.
- There are eight pangolin species globally: four in Asia and four in Africa.
- India is home to two species:
- The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), found across the subcontinent.
- The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), distributed across South Asia.
- Threats: Hunting and poaching for local use (protein source, traditional medicine) and international trade for scales and meat, especially in China and Vietnam.
- The Indian pangolin is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
- Both pangolin species in India are found in Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
Awareness and Observance
- World Pangolin Day is observed annually on February 18 to raise awareness about pangolin conservation.
(Source: The Hindu)
