UCLA researchers recently published a study detailing the unique genetic traits of the endangered white-bellied pangolin in the journal Chromosome Research. This research is pivotal for conservation efforts aimed at combating poaching, which threatens all four pangolin species. The study found that female white-bellied pangolins possess 114 chromosomes, a count exceeded only by the Bolivian bamboo rat. Notably, male pangolins have one less chromosome, which is atypical among mammals. The findings highlight not only the genetic distinctiveness of pangolins, which are closely related to cats and rhinoceroses, but also their elusive nature, making them challenging to study in the wild. Pangolins primarily feed on ants and termites using their long tongues and have unique behaviors, such as curling into a ball when threatened. Their scales are often trafficked illegally for traditional medicine, contributing to their decline. The research aims to utilize genomics to identify sources of pangolin products and inform conservation strategies. Collaborative approaches combining genetics and conservation techniques, such as environmental DNA analysis, are being developed to enhance pangolin protection efforts and address poaching challenges at an international level.
