Reproductive behavior of the captive Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822)

Abstract

Understanding reproductive behavior is important for the conservation of endangered species, but research on the reproductive behavior of Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822) is still very scarce. In this study, we used focal animal sampling and all‐occurrence recording by an infrared monitor to observe the behaviors of two Sunda pangolins during a 5‐day breeding period at the Pangolin Research Base for Artificial Rescue and Conservation Breeding of South China Normal University (PRB‐SCNU). The behavioral characteristics and breeding strategies were analyzed, and the results were discussed together with information on other captive Sunda pangolin pairs at PRB‐SCNU. The results found that there was no obvious estrus behavior in the captive female, while the male could exhibit sexual excitement and courtship behavior after a brief introduction period. Repeated copulation continued over many days after the female accepted the courtship. The average duration of copulatory behavior was 248.9 ± 148.7 s (n = 25), and all copulation occurred between 20:00 and 08:00 hr in the natural day–night photoperiod. The mating position of Sunda pangolins was lateral–ventral and was classified as the ninth or eleventh pattern under both Dewsbury's and Dixson's classification systems. This study can provide scientific guidance for the captive breeding and management of Sunda pangolins and other pangolin species, which is of great significance for ex situ conservation tactics.

Specific mating behavior of Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) in captivity

“…This is an interesting phenomenon, and why there is such a phenomenon needs more research. In addition, our finding is slightly different from a previous study, which found that all M. javanica mated between 20:00 and 08:00 18 . Due to the large sample size of this study (360 mating events), the results of this study have a better resolution when analyzing the preferred times of pangolin copulation.…”

“…The copulatory behavior of pangolins has also been reported, for example van Ee (1966) observed mating in Temminck’s pangolin ( Smutsia temminckii ), in which the male mounted the female sideways 16 . In addition, Yu et al (2016) observed that M. javanica adopts a ventral-to-ventral posture for mating with limbs tightly adpressed during copulation 17 and Zhang et al (2020) also studied the mating behavior of two M. javanica during a five-day breeding period and found that their mating position was lateral-ventral and classified the mating system as the 9th or 11th pattern under both Dewsbury’s and Dixson’s classification systems respectively 18 . However, these studies used very small sample sizes and short observation periods.…”

The brain of the tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). VII. The amygdaloid body

“…The range of affective behaviors observed in captive pangolins, as outlined by Mohapatra & Panda (2014) and Zhang et al (2020), has been observed in many other mammalian species. In this sense, given the conserved organization of the amygdaloid body in the tree pangolin in comparison with other mammals, as determined with the methods employed in the current study, it would be difficult at this stage to posit any species-specific specializations of the neural processing and subsequent behavioral expression of affect in the tree pangolin.…”

“…Pangolins are generally nocturnal, solitary animals, but there are a range of behaviors that have been observed in captive specimens that could be classified as affective. These include territorial marking, defensive behaviors and postures, vocalizations, aggression, as well as reproductive and social behaviors such as courtship, chasing, mounting, copulation, and maternal interactions (Mohapatra & Panda, 2014; Zhang et al., 2020). These behaviors are observed frequently across mammalian species and indicate that affective states and behaviors processed and initiated by the pangolin brain, specifically the amygdaloid complex, are likely the result of similarly organized circuits, albeit these circuits being refined in such a way as to process affect in a manner relevant to pangolin life history and the survival of individual pangolins as members of their species (Rolls, 1999; Sah et al., 2003; Panskepp, 2011).…”

The Comparison of Semen Collection in Electroejaculation, Rectal Massage and Combination of Both Methods in the Critically Endangered Malayan Pangolin, Manis javanica

“…The reproductive behavior [12] and the success of captive breeding in the Malayan pangolin have been reported [13]. The reproductive biology in male Malayan pangolins has also been explored recently [14,15].…”