| Accession | PRJCA015397 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Genomic Analysis Reveals a Cryptic Pangolin Species | ||||||||
| Relevance | Evolution | ||||||||
| Data types | COI gene | ||||||||
| Organisms |
Manis sp.
Phataginus tetradactyla Manis crassicaudata Smutsia gigantea Phataginus tricuspis Smutsia temminckii |
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| Description | Eight extant species of pangolins are currently recognized. Intriguingly, recent reports found that two mitochondrial haplotypes in Hong Kong confiscations could not be assigned to any known pangolin species, implying the existence of a previously unrecognized pangolin species. Strikingly, we here re-discovered two additional new-species mitochondrial haplotypes in the independent confiscations in Yunnan, strengthening the existence of this mysterious species/population. To verify the new- species scenario, we perform the first comprehensive study by describing scale characteristics and analyzing 138 genomic data from individuals representing all recognized pangolin species and this cryptic new species, 98 of which are newly generated. Our morphometric results clearly attributed this cryptic species to Asian pangolins (Manis sp.), and the genomic results provide robust and compelling evidence supporting it as a different pangolin species from all the recognized pangolin species, which separated for more than 4 million years. Our study provides a solid genomic basis for its formal recognition as the ninth pangolin species and the fifth Asian pangolin species member, supporting a new taxonomic classification of pangolins. The effects of glacial climate changes and recent human activities mediated by illegal trade were inferred to result in population decline and genetic erosion in this new species, as observed by low genetic diversity, high level of inbreeding and genetic load, all informing its alarming threatened status. Our study greatly adds current knowledge of pangolin diversity and evolution, and has valuable implications for conservation efforts to this enigmatic and endangered species before it disappears in the wild. | ||||||||
| Sample scope | Multispecies | ||||||||
| Release date | 2023-09-06 | ||||||||
| Grants |
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| Submitter | gu tong tong (a13187801052@163.com) | ||||||||
| Organization | Yunnan University | ||||||||
| Submission date | 2023-03-06 |