New Indo-Burmese Pangolin Species Discovered by ZSI Scientists

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying a new species of Indo-Burmese pangolin, Manis indoburmanica. This species is a distinct evolutionary branch that diverged from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) approximately 3.4 million years ago. The research, led by ZSI scientists, used advanced genetic tools to analyze mitochondrial genomes, revealing the unique evolutionary history and genetic characteristics of this species. This discovery has significant implications for pangolin conservation and the understanding of biodiversity in the Indo-Burma region, which is one of the world’s recognized biodiversity hotspots.

Key Findings

Discovery of New Species

• ZSI scientists identified the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica) as a distinct species.

Evolution History

• The species diverged from the Chinese pangolin approximately 3.4 million years ago.

Geoclimatic Influence

• The development of the species was influenced by significant paleo-climatic shifts during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs.

Genetic Distinctiveness

• The species showed a genetic distance of 0.038 and a barcode gap of 3.8%, confirming its distinct status.

Current Distribution

• The Indo-Burmese pangolin is found in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and possibly extends to Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

Conservation

• The species is highly vulnerable due to poaching and habitat degradation, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts.

Collaboration in Research

• The study was led by Mukesh Thakur of ZSI with contributions from PhD scholar Lenrik Konchok Wangmo.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	New Indo-Burmese Pangolin Species Discovered by ZSI Scientists
Divergence	Diverged from Manis pentadactyla (Chinese Pangolin) ~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
World Pangolin Day	Observed annually on February 18