Colony composition and nutrient analysis of <i>Polyrhachis dives</i> ants, a natural prey of the Chinese pangolin (<i>Manis pentadactyla</i>)

Xu, Na; Yu, Jiaming; Zhang, Fuhua; Wu, Shibao; Zou, Cuiyun; Wang, Qiaoyun; Wang, Yifu

doi:10.1002/zoo.21653

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…Currently, there are fewer studies related to tumors in Chinese pangolin. Stomach tumors of the pangolin were reported in 1984 and 1986 [ 13 , 14 ], but the site of the tumour was later confirmed to be pyloric pillow of the stomach [ 15 ]. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration pangolin conservation research center is responsible for the artificial rescue of Chinese pangolin throughout the country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infantile hemangioma in a subadult Chinese pangolin: a case report

Wang,

Xu,

et al. 2024

BMC Vet Res

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Background Hemangiomas are a relatively common type of tumor in humans and animals. Various subtypes of hemangiomas have been described in the literature. The classification methods for hemangiomas differ between human and veterinary medicine, and the basis for tumor classification can be found in the literature. Case presentation This study describes a tumor in the subcutaneous tissue of the right dorsum of an artificially rescued juvenile Chinese pangolin. Computed tomography (CT) examination yielded the preliminary diagnosis of a vascular malformation, and surgery was performed to resect the tumor. Histopathological examination showed that the tumor mainly was consisted of adipose tissue, capillaries, and spindle cells in the fibrous stroma. Immunohistochemistry showed the positive expression of CD31, CD34, α-SMA, GLUT1 and WT-1 in the tumor tissue, and the tumor was eventually diagnosed as an infantile haemangioma. Conclusion The final diagnosis of infantile hemangioma was depended on the histopathological immunohistochemical and CT examination of the neoplastic tissue. This is the first report of infantile hemangioma in a critically endangered species Chinese pangolin.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infantile hemangioma in a subadult Chinese pangolin: a case report

Wang,

Xu,

et al. 2024

BMC Vet Res

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“…One study found that their weight doubled after 15 months of continuous feeding with Manis pentadactyla , indicating that their metabolism is slow, and overfeeding should be avoided to reduce excessive growth or adult obesity [ 39 ]. Important in evaluating digestibility is the fact that the main items in the natural diet (ants and termites) have exoskeletons with high levels of chitin [ 46 , 50 ]. Chitin is the most abundant biopolymer in nature after cellulose.…”

Section: Other Factors Affecting the Nutrition Of Pangolinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… Vitamin concentrations in natural food and formula under human care of pangolins [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Notes: Formula 2 includes cat food, ant powder, yellow mealworms, eggs, apples, water, amino acid, astragalus, and trace elements; formula 4 includes cat food, ant powder, yellow mealworms, eggs, apples, carrots, cicada pupas, water, and amino acid.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

To Save Pangolins: A Nutritional Perspective

Wang

Janssens

Xie

et al. 2022

Animals

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Pangolins are one of the world’s most trafficked mammals. Since pangolins are highly adapted to ants and termites, they are important for controlling forest termite infestations. In addition to their ecological value, pangolins have economic and medicinal value. Currently, poaching and habitat destruction have radically reduced the number of pangolins, and Manis pentadactyla, Manis javanica, and Manis culionensis are now considered the most threatened pangolin species. In addition to the control of hunting and illegal trade, ex situ breeding is also a useful conservation method. However, many technical obstacles still limit the success of ex situ pangolin breeding. The special feeding traits of pangolins require a diet that meets nutritional and ethological needs. Based on the existing literature and practical experience, this review aims to compare the natural diet and successful diet in the human care of pangolins, to outline the key factors of successful ex situ maintenance from a dietary perspective, and the strategies to improve their conservation success in animal care centers and in the wild. The type of food used in successful pangolin protection agencies is quite variable in nutritional composition. In the diet of pangolins in the wild, the nutrient profile of different species of termites and ants and even the same species of termites and ants but different types (queens, soldiers, etc.) also displays differences. The crude protein content of some ants is higher than that of other foods, such as eggs, milk, and common cat food. The mineral and vitamin concentrations of ants also exceed many common food items, such as oil, meat, and eggs. However, not much is known about the bioavailability of minerals from ants and termites. Based on comparisons between foods, it is clear that the main difference between diets in the wild and in human care of pangolins is that the latter contains fewer insects and vitamins, such as vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin B2, and more carbohydrates and non-protein substances than the former. Although many successful dietary formulae have been developed, the pangolin’s nutritional needs are still less well studied. A diet with the nutrient concentrations observed in the wild may add to successful ex situ conservation.

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