Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica): a novel phylogenetic species of pangolin evolved in Asia

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed 41 mitogenomes including eight newly sequenced to explore genetic diversity within Asian pangolins. Our findings reveal a cryptic phylogenetic species that diverged from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) approximately 3.4 million years ago. This newly identified species, which we propose to name the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica), exhibits a significant genetic distance from the Chinese pangolin, with a divergence of 0.038 and a barcode gap of 3.8%. The distribution of this species aligns with major geo-climatic events, which have likely shaped its current geographic spread. The discovery emphasizes the necessity of further research to precisely describe its morphological features and define its distribution boundaries, enhancing our understanding of pangolin biodiversity and aiding in conservation efforts.