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The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), also known as the Malayan or Javan pangolin, is a species of pangolin. This species, like all others, of pangolin are included in the manidae family.[1] They get their name from the Malay name, "pëngulin" which means "roller". [2] There are eight species of pangolin today.
Phylogeography
[edit]During the Pilo-Pleistocene, Something that has shaped its phylogeographic patterns is the experience of the pangolin geographically and its climate history. [1]
Description
[edit]Unlike other mammals, pangolins have scales instead of fur to protect them from danger. Their scales are brown in color and made of keratin. Some even have white scales along their tails for an unknown reason.[2]
It has been suggested that pangolins' olfactory bulbs are enlarged in relation to other mammals. Their use of their snouts and tongues supports that they rely on olfaction to eat. Research has been done on the African tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) that has supported this. Still, auditory systems and visual systems are not exceptionally good. Research has also been done to support the idea that the anatomy of the eyes is well-adapted to allow for nocturnal vision.[3]
Mature female Pangolin have needle-like nipples that are used to feed young. The teat does not grow or visibly change when the cub is nursing and is present even before maturity.[4]
Behavior and ecology
[edit]Compared to other species of pangolin, Sunda have a much higher distribution across Southeast Asia.
Conservation
[edit]Pangolins as a family are among the most protected animals due to heavy poaching, exploitation, and trafficked animals. Like other pangolin species, the Sunda pangolin is hunted for its skin, scales, and meat, used in clothing manufacture and traditional medicine. Scales are made into rings as charms against rheumatic fever, and meat is eaten by indigenous peoples in the region. Additionally, Pangolin meat is also used as raw material in drug making. The biggest market for the trade of the Pangolin is within the country of China[4]. Despite enjoying protected status almost everywhere in its range, illegal international trade, largely driven by Chinese buyers, has led to rapidly decreasing population numbers. The Sunda pangolin is currently considered to be critically endangered.[1] As of 2016, all eight pangolin species are listed on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits commercial international trade of wild-caught specimens or their body parts.[8] China raised the protection status of all pangolin species to the highest level in 2020.[9]
Pangolins are also facing habitat loss which has aided their lead to extinction. With how small their population numbers are, it is difficult for scientists to study them while in their natural habitat. The low numbers give scientists little to work with when sampling. Another issue scientists are facing is their little knowledge of pangolin behavior, as well as their nocturnal nature. This gives them a hard time locating remaining populations. Pangolins are typically unable to be successfully rehabilitated due to their need for a proper diet.[3]
In the past captive breeding efforts have all yielded little to no success due in part to the inability to rehabilitate pangolins, as well as pangolins' nocturnal nature. There is little data on the breeding habits and reproduction rates. Additionally, not much is known about pangolin growth and development. However, in recent studies of captive pangolins, researchers found that pangolin cubs were typically able to be weaned off the mother after around 130 days. Using this information and future studies, conservation efforts can be made to protect dens and gain more knowledge about the sparse pangolin population.[4]
The data we have now on all eight species is quite concerning as all are coming threateningly close to endangerment. In order for us to gather more knowledge on pangolin behavior and cognition, we need more collaboration with conservationists, biologists, ecologists, and psychologists to develop strategies to collaborate on.[3]
Health
[edit]There is a possibly risk of disease when trading Sunda pangolins. This could effect humans, livestock, and other populations of wildlife. It is known for pangolins to carry disease as several have been found During capturing.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sitam, Frankie T.; Salgado‐Lynn, Milena; Denel, Azroie; Panjang, Elisa; McEwing, Ross; Lightson, Amanda; Ogden, Rob; Maruji, Nur Alwanie; Yahya, Nurhartini Kamalia; Ngau, Cosmas; Mohd Kulaimi, Noor Azleen; Ithnin, Hartini; Rovie‐Ryan, Jeffrine; Abu Bakar, Mohd Soffian; Ewart, Kyle M. (2023-08). "Phylogeography of the Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica : Implications for taxonomy, conservation management and wildlife forensics". Ecology and Evolution. 13 (8). doi:10.1002/ece3.10373. ISSN 2045-7758. PMC 10427774. PMID 37593756.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); no-break space character in|last11=at position 5 (help); no-break space character in|last14=at position 4 (help)CS1 maint: PMC format (link) - ^ a b "Pangolins | ZSL". www.zsl.org. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b c DiPaola, Joshua D.; Yindee, Marnoch; Plotnik, Joshua M. (2020-06-17). "Investigating the use of sensory information to detect and track prey by the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) with conservation in mind". Scientific Reports. 10 (1): 9787. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-65898-x. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 7300028. PMID 32555311.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) - ^ a b c Yan, Dingyu; Zeng, Xiangyan; Jia, Miaomiao; Guo, Xiaobing; Que, Tengcheng; Tao, Li; Li, Mingzhe; Li, Baocai; Chen, Jinyan; Xu, Shanghua; Hua, Yan; Wu, Shibao; Zeng, Peng; Li, Shousheng; Wei, Yongjie (2022-09-14). "Weaning period and growth patterns of captive Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) cubs". PLOS ONE. 17 (9): e0272020. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272020. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 9473421. PMID 36103487.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)