Molecular Forensics and Conservation Genetics of Pangolins
Summary
The illegal trafficking and severe population declines of pangolins have spurred advances in molecular forensics and conservation genetics. These approaches employ DNA-based tools to identify species and provenance of confiscated remains, to reconstruct phylogeographic patterns, and to assess genetic diversity within and among wild populations. High-throughput sequencing has enabled assembly of whole genomes and mitogenomes for all extant pangolin species, leading to the discovery of cryptic lineages and the delineation of management units. Microsatellite and single-nucleotide polymorphism analyses inform demographic history, effective population size and inbreeding levels, thereby guiding captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. Forensic assays, including standardised DNA barcoding, allow rapid species assignment even from fragmented or processed scales. Integration of genetic data with trade records and ecological information supports the mapping of trafficking routes and the identification of poaching hotspots. Together, these methods underpin evidence-based conservation strategies, legal enforcement and international collaboration aimed at securing the future of pangolins in the wild.
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Molecular Forensics and Conservation Genetics of Pangolins publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in molecular forensics and conservation genetics of pangolins across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
DNA barcoding: Species identification using short, standardised gene regions.
Mitogenome: The complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of an organism.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP): A single base-pair variation at a specific genomic locus.
RAD-seq: A method for discovering and genotyping genome-wide SNPs using restriction enzymes.
Phylogeography: The study of historical processes governing geographic distributions of genetic lineages.
References
- Pangolin Genomes Offer Key Insights and Resources for the World’s Most Trafficked Wild Mammals. Molecular Biology and Evolution (2023).
- Genetic identification of African pangolins and their origin in illegal trade. Global Ecology and Conservation (2020).
- Determining species identity from confiscated pangolin remains using DNA barcoding. Mitochondrial DNA Part B (2016).
- Phylogeography of the Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica: Implications for taxonomy, conservation management and wildlife forensics. Ecology and Evolution (2023).
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