Temminck’s pangolin Smutsia temminckii ( )

Pietersen, Darren William; Jansen, Raymond; Swart, Jonathan; Panaino, Wendy; Kotzé, Antoinette; Rankin, Paul; Nebe, Bruno

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815507-3.00011-3

Cited by 17 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The predicted overall distribution closely mirrors the IUCN range map, which was created by drawing a minimum convex polygon around all the verified distribution points (Pietersen et al, 2019). Our modelled distribution does, however, predict some additional suitable habitat in parts of the Limpopo and north‐western Mpumalanga provinces, as well as in extreme eastern North West Province, northern Gauteng Province and northern Free State Province (Figure 1a).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Temminck's pangolin ( Smutsia temminckii ) is one of eight pangolin species occurring globally, four of which occur in Africa (Challender et al, 2014). Smutsia temminckii has a wide distribution, occurring from South Sudan and southern Chad to the northern provinces of South Africa (Pietersen et al, 2019). They are solitary and predominantly nocturnal myrmecophagous mammals whose elusive behaviour and low population densities make them inherently difficult to study (Heath & Coulson, 1997; Pietersen et al, 2014a, 2016a; Richer et al, 1997; Swart et al, 1999; Willcox et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distribution of Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) in South Africa, with evaluation of questionable historical and contemporary occurrence records

et al. 2021

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Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) is a threatened mammal found in southern and eastern Africa. It is the most widely distributed African pangolin species yet is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to a projected population decline of 30%–40% within the next three generations. This species' secretive, predominantly nocturnal behaviour and generally low population densities make it difficult to directly assess its distribution, and thus, alternative methods are required. Furthermore, many historical and some contemporary records of this species exist from outside of its accepted range, suggesting that the distribution may be greater than currently accepted, although the validity of these records has never been assessed. We used MaxEnt modelling to evaluate the most likely distribution of S. temminckii in South Africa and compared the past and present distribution of the species, as well as assessed the probable validity of the questionable records. Our results suggest that one of the questionable historical museum records is probably valid, while the other may refer to an erroneous collecting locality. At least some contemporary sightings which were originally deemed questionable are probably valid, while others should be treated as dubious until supporting information to validate their authenticity becomes available.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) in South Africa, with evaluation of questionable historical and contemporary occurrence records

et al. 2021

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“…Pangolins, the only mammals covered with keratin scales covering their skin, are expected to be denser than water. According to Pietersen et al (table 11.1 in Pietersen et al, 2020) the scales of Temminck's pangolin ( Smutsia temminckii ) if dried accounts about 25% of the animal's BM. Assuming that the NSG Temminck's pangolin without scales is 1.0 as in the rest of land mammals, and scales SG is that of keratin (1.33), a NSG of 1.033 is therefore obtained for the whole animal.…”

Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

A review and reappraisal of the specific gravities of present and past multicellular organisms, with an emphasis on tetrapods

Larramendi¹,

Paul

Hsu³

2020

The Anatomical Record

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The density, or specific gravity (SG), of organisms has numerous important implications for their form, function, ecology, and other facets of beings living and dead, and it is especially necessary to apply SG values that are as accurate as practical when estimating their masses which is itself a critical aspect of living things. Yet a comprehensive review and analysis of this notable subject of anatomy has never been conducted and published. This is such an effort, being as extensive as possible with the data on hand, bolstered by some additional observations, and new work focusing on extinct animals who densities are least unknown: pterosaurs and dinosaurs with extensive pneumatic complexes, including the most sophisticated effort to date for a sauropod. Often difficult to determine even via direct observation, techniques for obtaining the best possible SG data are explained and utilized, including observations of floating animals. Neutral specific gravity (NSG) is proposed as the most important value for tetrapods with respiratory tracts of fluctuating volume. SGs of organisms range from 0.08 to 2.6, plant tissues from 0.08 to 1.39, and vertebrates from about 0.75 (some giant pterosaurs) to 1.2 (those with heavy armor and/or skeletons). Tetrapod NSGs tend to be somewhat higher than widely thought, especially those theropod and sauropod dinosaurs and pterosaurs with air‐sacs because respiratory system volume is usually measured at maximum inhalation in birds. Also discussed is evidence that the ratio of the mass of skeletons relative to total body mass has not been properly assayed in the past.

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“…(Pietersen et al, 2016). Pangolin are rare, nocturnal and mostly solitary mammals that inhabit semi-arid to mesic savannas at low population densities (Pietersen et al 2014(Pietersen et al , 2020. The isolated report from the 19 th century is thus not surprising.…”

Section: Regional Mammal Disappearance / Extinctionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“But what silence! No more gazelles…”: Occurrence and extinction of fauna in Lesotho, southern Africa, since the late Pleistocene

Grab

Nash

2022

Quaternary International

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Understanding the historical dynamics of wildlife distribution and abundance is essential to developing appropriate conservation measures. Here we investigate the occurrence and status of medium-to large-sized fauna (excluding avifauna) for the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and immediate adjoining regions of South Africa, from the late Pleistocene to the present-day. We provide historical timelines and records of reported medium to large faunal taxa based on: data from eight published archaeological excavations, analyses of several hundred unpublished 19 th and 20 th century historical documents (including missionary letters, diaries, colonial reports and newspapers), and 58 recent oral history interviews. Vegetation and climate changes through the Holocene are also noted, based on archaeo-botanical records. Through these sources, we record 61 medium to large faunal species for Lesotho and surrounding regions over the past ~21 ka, of which only 22 are present today. Some species not previously known to the region are documented (e.g. Temminck's pangolin). Most species were present during the early 19 th century, but many regional species extinctions and a major faunal population decline occurred between 1845 and 1850, owing mainly to settler hunting campaigns. Subsequent extinctions have taken place over a wider temporal interval, due to factors including overhunting, human-wildlife conflicts and habitat loss. It seems that some taxa were forced into unsuitable mountain refugia where species eventually succumbed to genetic erosion and/or harsh climatic conditions. Our results increase current understanding of regional faunal and environmental changes, such as the timing of species occurrences and extinction events and processes in Lesotho. Such work adds valuable knowledge to understanding the environmental heritage of the region. Information can be disseminated into wildlife records, national environmental reports, the WWF, the national school environmental educational curriculum and to National Parks and Heritage Sites.

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Temminck’s pangolin Smutsia temminckii ( )

Cited by 17 publications

References 25 publications

Distribution of Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) in South Africa, with evaluation of questionable historical and contemporary occurrence records

Distribution of Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) in South Africa, with evaluation of questionable historical and contemporary occurrence records

A review and reappraisal of the specific gravities of present and past multicellular organisms, with an emphasis on tetrapods

“But what silence! No more gazelles…”: Occurrence and extinction of fauna in Lesotho, southern Africa, since the late Pleistocene

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