Evolution and conservation genetics of pangolins

Abstract

Pangolins (Pholidota, Manidae) are classified as an evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered mammal due to their unique morphology (nail‐like scales and a myrmecophagous diet) and being the victim of heavy poaching and worldwide trafficking. As such, pangolins serve as a textbook example for studying the special phenotypic evolutionary adaptations and conservation genetics of an endangered species. Recent years have demonstrated significant advancements in the fields of molecular genetics and genomics, which have translated to a series of important research achievements and breakthroughs concerning the evolution and conservation genetics of pangolins. This review comprehensively presents the hitherto advances in phylogeny, adaptive evolution, conservation genetics, and conservation genomics that are related to pangolins, which will provide an ample understanding of their diversity, molecular adaptation mechanisms, and evolutionary potentials. In addition, we highlight the priority of investigating species/population diversity among pangolins and suggest several avenues of research that are highly relevant for future pangolin conservation.

Field survey data for conservation: Evaluating suitable habitat of Chinese pangolin at the county‐level in eastern China (2000–2040)

“…Nevertheless, this species confronts substantial survival challenges, primarily attributed to illicit poaching and habitat degradation (Challender et al., 2020 ; Heinrich et al., 2016 ; Wu et al., 2002 ). Factors such as the illegal trade (Gu, Hu, & Yu, 2023 ; Nash et al., 2018 ; Shirley et al., 2023 ) and local consumption of pangolin meat (Emogor et al., 2023 ) are posited as the principal motivators behind its poaching. Presently, the population of the Chinese pangolin has diminished by a staggering 90%, leading to its classification as critically endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Challender et al., 2019 ), inclusion in Appendix S1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and designation as a first‐class protected species under the national conservation laws of China (Notice No.…”