Context:

Recently, Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified a new species of Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis Indoburmanica).

More on the News:

• Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica) diverged from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) approximately 3.4 million years ago.
• As per the study it is a distinct phylogenetic species of Asian pangolin.
• The discovery was published in the journal Mammalian Biology in its paper ‘Indo‐Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica): a novel phylogenetic species of pangolin evolved in Asia’.
• The species is believed to have evolved in isolation during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs, (3.4 million years ago) influenced by climatic and geological shifts. 
• Its current distribution spans parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and it possibly extends to Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

About Pangolins:

These are toothless mammals, their body covered with overlapping scales except the ventral surface. 

They roll up into a ball when threatened as a unique self-defence against predators.

A female Pangolin gave birth to just one baby after five months of gestation period.

They feed on ants and termites using their long protrusible tongue. They have a prehensile tail. 

Pangolin species vary in size from about 1.6kg (3.5 lbs) to a maximum of about 33kg (~73 lbs). They vary in colour from light to yellowish brown through olive to dark brown.

Pangolins are solitary, most are nocturnal and highly secretive.

Their longevity in the wild is not known and in captivity, they live more than 21 years. 

Globally, eight species of pangolin are found in continents of Asia and Africa.

• Ground pangolin.
• Chinese pangolin.
• Black-bellied pangolin.
• White-bellied pangolin.
• Giant pangolin.
• Sunda pangolin.
• Philippine pangolin.
• Indian pangolin.

India is home to two species — the Indian Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin

Indian pangolin is found throughout India except upper Himalayas, extreme Northeast and some parts of the Thar desert.

World Pangolin Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of February annually since 2012.

Pangolins are among the most trafficked wild mammals globally.

Their demand is primarily in Asia and in Africa for their meat and scales.

Pangolins Conservation status:

The Indian Pangolin: 

• Listed in Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and included 
• Listed in Appendix I of CITES. 
• IUCN Red List conservation status: Endangered

The Chinese Pangolin

• Listed in Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and included 
• Listed in Appendix I of CITES. 
• IUCN Red List conservation status: Critically Endangered since 2014.