Forensic application of DNA barcoding for African pangolin scale traceability
Pangolins are currently recognized as being the most heavily traded group of wild mammals globally. Although various derivatives are found in trade, scales are by far the most frequently seized raw product. This poses a problem for law enforcement personnel as the scales of all eight pangolin species are very similar in appearance, and molecular techniques often need to be employed to verify the species identify of these scales.
This study investigated the applicability of DNA barcoding to identify the species in trade using scales purportedly originating from Africa that were confiscated internationally and sampled in chain of custody. This study successfully identified all scales sampled to species level using the previously generated DNA barcode reference database, and has proven the applicability and reliability of using the DNA barcode reference database to determine the pangolin species in international trade. This finding will assist law enforcement personnel globally in their fight to prosecute participants in the illicit pangolin trade.
This study was a collaboration between the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa and the African Pangolin Working Group. The Hong Kong Customs Authorities kindly supplied the material that was analysed.
Predicting the distribution of Temminck’s ground pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) in South Africa
Our current knowledge of the distribution of Temminck's Ground Pangolins is based purely on sightings data. However due to their cryptic, predominantly nocturnal nature it is often difficult to confirm the presence or absence of pangolins in a region based solely on sightings. It is also not possible to survey the entire country to accurately determine the distribution of pangolins. For these reasons we investigated the use of Ecological Niche Modelling and GIS software to predict the distribution of pangolins in South Africa. Regions that are predicted by the models to be suitable for pangolins , but for which sighting data are lacking, will be targeted by surveys to try and confirm the presence of pangolins. This study gave us our first robust glimpse into what factors might determine the distribution of pangolins in South Africa, and what part human activities may have played in their current distribution.
Evolutionary history of Temminck’s Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)
Before this study nothing was known of the genetics of southern African pangolin populations, whether there were genetically-distinct subpopulations and whether there was still gene flow between the various subpopulations. This study undertook to rectify these gaps in our knowledge by sequencing tissue samples that were gathered across the southern African range of pangolins and investigating whether there were any geographic differences. We also sequenced the entire mitochondrial genome of Temminck's Ground Pangolin, allowing subsequent studies to use this genome to design suitable molecular markers and also use the whole genome in varies phylogenetic studies.
Molecular insights into the genetic variation of Temminck’s Ground Pangolin populations in southern Africa
This study identified and developed molecular markers that are being used for subsequent research into the genetic diversity and geographic population structuring of pangolins. This study also investigated the suitability of different tissue types as a source of DNA.
This comprehensive study focused on the ecology and physiology of Temminck’s Ground Pangolins in an arid environment. No studies of any nature had previously been done on pangolins in arid environments, with all previous research focusing on populations in the moister eastern portions of southern Africa. This project represents the first arid-zone study of the species. Key areas of research included determination of home range size, habitat use, dispersal, diet and core body temperature. This project also reviewed the major causes of mortality in Temminck’s Ground Pangolins and suggested mitigation measures that can be implemented to reduce, or prevent, these mortalities.
Customary beliefs and traditional use of Temminck’s Ground Pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) within South African tribal communities
Not much is known about the cultural uses of pangolins in South Africa, how prevalent pangolins are in rural trade and what their importance is in the various South African cultures. This project is the first to attempt to quantify the pangolin trade in rural communities and establish the cultural uses of pangolins in South Africa.
Pangolins in peril: A perspective of their use as traditional medicine and bushmeat in West Africa
Pangolins are widely traded in West African bushmeat markets, where they are used both as a source of protein and for Traditional African Medicine. Although a number of studies have been done on the prevalence of pangolins in West African bushmeat markets, these studies have generally been of short duration, limited to small regions, and many ore outdated. This study aims to provide recent statistics on the extent of the tradeand the traditional uses of pangolins and their derivatives across a wide geographical region.
The radiological anatomy, osteology and myology of the Temminck's Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) thoracic limb
Not much is known about the bone morphology and muscle attachment of the front limbs of pangolins, and how this compares to other ant- and termite-eating mammals. Have different mammal species that feed on ants and termites evolved similar body forms and muscle attachment structures because of their similar foraging methods, or can differences in bone morphology and muscle attachment be used to infer the phylogenetic position of myrmecophagous mammals? This project is the first step towards answering these questions.