Genetic identification of African pangolins and their origin in illegal trade

Zhang, Huarong; Ades, Gary; Miller, Mark P.; Yang, Feng; Lai, Kwok-wai; Fischer, Gunter A.

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01119

Cited by 22 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Eine DNA-Studie wies alle vier afrikanischen Arten in Zoll-Beschlagnahmungen nach. Zudem stammten die Schuppen von Tieren, die über das gesamte Ver- breitungsgebiet in Afrika vorkommen, was die enorme Sogwirkung der Nachfrage belegt ( Zhang et al 2020 ). 2016 schließlich listete CITES alle Schuppentierarten in Anhang I, um jeglichen internationalen kommerziellen Handel zu verbieten (CoP17 Prop.…”

Section: Einige Tcm-relevante Arten In Der Aktuellen Artenschutzdebunclassified

Aktuelle Artenschutzprobleme im Kontext der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin1

Altherr¹

2020

Chinese Medicine

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Die Verwendung von Wildtieren in der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin gerät immer wieder in die Kritik, insbesondere wenn hierdurch fortwährend neue Arten an den Rand der Ausrottung gebracht werden. Das Washingtoner Artenschutzübereinkommen (engl. Abkürzung CITES) kann zwar den internationalen Handel mit Wildtieren regeln, doch auf nationaler Ebene tragen die einzelnen Regierungen Verantwortung. Der vorliegende Artikel gibt einen Überblick über jüngste Entwicklungen im Artenschutz im Kontext der TCM, auch im Zusammenhang mit der Covid-19-Pandemie, sowie zu den Bemühungen der chinesischen Regierung, den boomenden TCM-Markt weiter auszubauen.

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Section: Einige Tcm-relevante Arten In Der Aktuellen Artenschutzdebunclassified

Aktuelle Artenschutzprobleme im Kontext der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin1

Altherr¹

2020

Chinese Medicine

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“…The scope and range of wildlife crime is wide and encompasses a variety of criminal activities such as poaching and illegal hunting of mammals [ 31 , 32 ], birds [ 20 , 33 ] and reptiles [ 21 , 34 , 35 ], and the use of animal derivatives in traditional medicines [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Species Assignment In Wildlife Forensic Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Forensic Genetics

Linacre

2021

Genes

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Animal forensic genetics, where the focus is on non-human species, is broadly divided in two: domestic species and wildlife. When traces of a domestic species are relevant to a forensic investigation the question of species identification is less important, as the material comes from either a dog or a cat for instance, but more relevant may be the identification of the actual pet. Identification of a specific animal draws on similar methods to those used in human identification by using microsatellite markers. The use of cat short tandem repeats to link a cat hair to a particular cat paved the way for similar identification of dogs. Wildlife forensic science is becoming accepted as a recognised discipline. There is growing acceptance that the illegal trade in wildlife is having devasting effects on the numbers of iconic species. Loci on the mitochondrial genome are used to identify the most likely species present. Sequencing the whole locus may not be needed if specific bases can be targeted. There can be benefits of increased sensitivity using mitochondrial loci for species testing, but occasionally there is an issue if hybrids are present. The use of massively parallel DNA sequencing has a role in the identification of the ingredients of traditional medicines where studies found protected species to be present, and a potential role in future species assignments. Non-human animal forensic testing can play a key role in investigations provided that it is performed to the same standards as all other DNA profiling processes.

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“…Rhino horn is composed of the same type of protein as fingernails, yet unfounded beliefs in its medicinal powers have helped drive the market for rhino horn [ 7 , 8 ]. The same driving forces are behind the illegal trade in pangolins: these scaled mammals are now the most traded mammal due to the use of scales as a ‘cure’ for a range of ailments and the foetus as a delicacy [ 9 , 10 ]. Elephant poaching for ivory is an example of another iconic species on a sharp decline due to the desire for ivory-based sculptures and trinkets [ 11 ].…”

Section: International Trade In Endangered Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, linking pieces of ivory to the same dead elephant [ 11 , 36 ], showing how many poached pangolins contributed to a seizure [ 10 ], or linking a rhino horn to a slaughtered corpse [ 26 , 37 ]. The science is very much analogous to that used in human DNA profiling dentification.…”

Section: Role Of Wildlife Forensic Science (Dna Technologies)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife crime in Australia

Linacre

2021

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences

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Wildlife crime is on a massive scale by whatever metric is used. The illegal trade in wildlife and related products is leading to the decline and extinction of many iconic species from rhino to tigers. Almost all countries are signatures to CITES and therefore should enforce national legislation if alleged infringements of trade of wildlife occur. No country is immune from this illegal trade although countries like Australia have their own specific wildlife crimes. Australia is home to many reptilian, amphibian and avian species that are highly prized, predominantly as pets. Collection of protected species from the wild is illegal in all jurisdictions yet policing remote areas of the outback, where so much of the native endemic fauna and flora lives, is nearly impossible. The illegal international trade in these species is highlighted by two case studies provided in this review. A further case highlights the issues of each of the six states of Australia having separate legislation, which is compounded when wildlife crime can be inter-state crime. Australia is one of the few countries having an institute, based at the Australian Museum, with an accredited wildlife forensic science laboratory and therefore the capability to undertake forensic testing of seized samples. One way to reduce wildlife crime may be by educating those who buy illegally seized products that there is a direct connection between the dead animal from which it came and the devasting effect this purchase has on the environment.

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Genetic identification of African pangolins and their origin in illegal trade

Cited by 22 publications

References 25 publications

Aktuelle Artenschutzprobleme im Kontext der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin1

Aktuelle Artenschutzprobleme im Kontext der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin1

Animal Forensic Genetics

Wildlife crime in Australia

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