Discovery of the Indo-Burmese Pangolin: A New Species Unveiled by ZSI
| Summary/Static | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in the news? | New Indo-Burmese Pangolin Species Discovered by ZSI Scientists |
| Species Name | Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica) |
| Divergence | Diverged from Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) ~3.4 million years ago |
| Evolutionary Influence | Climatic and geological shifts during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs |
| Genetic Distance | 0.038 (significant genetic distance confirming distinct species) |
| Barcode Gap | 3.8% (reinforces its status as a unique species) |
| Current Distribution | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable due to poaching, habitat loss, and the urgent need for region-specific conservation efforts |
| Key Contributors | Mukesh Thakur (ZSI), Lenrik Konchok Wangmo (University of Calcutta) |
| Publication | 'Indo‐Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica): a novel phylogenetic species of pangolin evolved in Asia' |
| Global Significance | Pangolins are the most trafficked wild mammals globally, emphasizing the need for species-specific action |