Introduction
In 1836, British diplomat and naturalist Brian Houghton Hodgson made an intriguing observation in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. He encountered an animal that resembled a pangolin, but did not meet all the criteria. The animal had armor-like scales from head to tail, as previously described by French zoologist Georges Cuvier. However, it also had ears and many more scales across its trunk than any recorded species.
Convinced he had discovered a new species, Hodgson gave the animal the name Manis auritus, which translates to "with large ears". However, he also provided an alternative name, Plurisquamis, or "the many-scaled", in case the ears proved to be an unremarkable feature later on.
The Discovery of a New Species
Nearly two centuries later, a team of scientists from Asia, the Americas, and Europe spent five years building the case that the pangolin described by Hodgson in 1836 is, in fact, a separate species, distinct from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) it had been lumped together with and the other seven recorded species.
Their recently published findings also establish the species' name, now called the Himalayan pangolin, and have immediate consequences for conservation. Across their African and Asian ranges, all pangolins are endangered.
Conservation Implications
The discovery of the Himalayan pangolin as a distinct species highlights the importance of conserving these incredible animals. With only eight pangolin species in the world, the loss of any one of them would have a significant impact on global biodiversity.
Furthermore, poaching and illegal trade of pangolins are significant threats to their survival. Raising awareness about the importance of conserving these species and implementing effective measures to protect them are essential to ensuring the survival of pangolins.
Source / Reference: Mongabay