Giant pangolin

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Giant pangolin
Giant pangolin (smutsia gigantea)

Giant pangolin ( smutsia gigantea )

Systematics
Superordinate : Laurasiatheria
Order : Pholidota
Family : Pangolins (Manidae)
Subfamily : Smutsiinae
Genre : Smutsia
Type : Giant pangolin
Scientific name
Smutsia gigantea
( Illiger , 1815)

The giant pangolin ( smutsia gigantea , partly Manis gigantea ) is a mammalian species from the family of dandruff animals (Manidae). It is the largest representative of this group. The distribution area includes western and central Africa , where the animals inhabit a wide variety of forested landscapes. They live solitary and are nocturnal. In addition, the giant pangolin is a good digger in the ground, it has very strong forelegs and sometimes creates relatively long, underground tunnels. The main food is mainly insects which form colonies . The hidden way of life means that there is little information about the exact behavior. The flesh of the giant pangolin is used by humans for food purposes, and in some cases the pangolin is said to have healing properties, so it is used in some local medicinal uses. The resulting high hunting pressure has led to a decline in individual stocks. Because of this, the giant pangolin is considered threatened.

features

Habitus

The giant pangolin is the largest representative of the pangolin living today. It reaches a head-trunk length of 67 to 81 cm, the massive tail is 55 to 70 cm long. The tail is thus a little shorter than the rest of the body. The weight varies between 30 and 35 kg. Males are usually larger than females. The top of the head, the back and the flanks, the outsides of the limbs and the tail are covered with horny scales as in all pangolins. They are solidly built, the largest of which are located roughly in the middle of the trunk, and have three tips pointing backwards, which, however, are often no longer clearly recognizable in older animals due to wear and tear. The color of the scales is uniform and varies from gray-brown to yellow-brown. The scales are arranged on the trunk in 15 to 17 or more transverse rows. A single row of scales runs across the middle of the back. This breaks off shortly before the end of the tail. On the tail side there are 15 to 19 sharp-edged scales. The underside of the tip of the tail is completely covered with scales. Very short, dense and light-colored hair grow on the unscaled belly and cover the pale-yellowish to pinkish-colored skin, the other, dandruff-free parts of the body are largely hairless. The head is conical in shape and characterized by an elongated snout. The nose is about the same color as the rest of the skin. The eyes are small and have a dark iris . They are surrounded by thick, bead-like eyelids and can be pulled out a little while awake, or drawn in while sleeping or in a curled up pose. The ears show no external skin or cartilage bulges. The limbs are generally short and strong, but the front legs are not quite as short as in the related steppe pangolin and reach a good three-quarters the length of the hind legs. The front and rear legs each end in five toes with claws. On the front feet, the three middle claws have been transformed into large grave claws, with the central one being the strongest and longest. The inner and outer claws, on the other hand, appear very short and have no function. The claws of the hind feet are only slightly curved and noticeably shorter than those of the front feet.

Skull and skeletal features

The skull has a length of 13 to 16 cm and is very massive, which is mainly achieved through the very dense bone structure. The spine consists of 7 cervical, 14 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 4 sacrum and 23 to 27 tail vertebrae, so it comprises 53 to 57 vertebrae. The pool is sturdy and, in contrast to the steppe pangolin, is more horizontal.

distribution and habitat

Distribution area (brown) of the giant pangolin

The giant pangolin is found in West and Central Africa . Its distribution area is divided into two parts. In West Africa it covers the area from southern Senegal eastwards to Ghana . Information from Togo , Benin and Nigeria is uncertain. In Central Africa, the distribution area extends from the east bank of the Sanaga River in Cameroon across the entire Congo Basin to the westernmost Kenya and Tanzania as well as the northernmost Angola (in the Cabinda exclave ). In addition, the giant pangolin has been found on the island of Bioko . It is clearly linked to forest landscapes such as tropical rainforests , riparian forests or savanna- forest mosaic landscapes, the distribution of which also limits its habitat. It also occurs in secondary open landscapes with high levels of precipitation, but it avoids landscapes influenced by humans. The pangolin mostly lives in lowlands, in the region of Itombwe in the western distribution area it can also be found at higher altitudes, where soft soils suitable for digging are formed. In the southern Buganda on Lake Victoria , it was observed from the higher hilly landscapes down to swampy valleys with forests and papyrus . The prerequisite for the presence of the giant pangolin is sufficient food and water. Little is known about the population density, but based on the size of the individual animals and their special diet, it is probably rather low.

Way of life

Territorial behavior

Historical drawing of the giant pangolin after John Edward Gray 1865

The way of life of the giant pangolin has only been insufficiently investigated. It lives solitary as a nocturnal ground dweller. There it moves mainly on four feet with its tail mostly held horizontally. It supports the hands on the outer edges so that the claws are spared, the hind feet touch the entire sole. The giant pangolin changes to a purely bipedal locomotion only on its hind legs much less frequently than is the case with the steppe pangolin ( Smutsia temminckii ). They are also poor swimmers who paddle across bodies of water with their feet, with their body - except for their nose - completely under water. It is also a bad tree climber because the tail is not very flexible and can hardly support the animal while climbing. The main activity time is between midnight and dawn, but it can also start much earlier. During the day, the animals rest in underground earthworks, in bushes or under fallen trees. The earthworks are often dug themselves, but the giant pangolin sometimes also uses those of the aardvark . The structures examined reach up to 40 m in length, the tunnels are on average 50 to 60 cm below the surface of the earth, the sometimes enlarged chamber at the end can be up to 5 m deep. Often there are several entrances to the building. The individual animals maintain activity areas which , according to studies, they use for at least two years. No information is available about the individual size of the individual grazing areas, but it is assumed that they are rather small due to their temporary use. Much traveled paths or piles of dung are marked with secretions from the anal glands . As a result, most of the intra-species communication takes place via the extremely well-developed sense of smell . Since the glands in male animals are noticeably larger, a certain territoriality can possibly be assumed.

nutrition

The food of the giant pangolin consists mainly of state-forming insects . Preferred prey include termite representatives from the genera Macrotermes , Apicotermes , Pseudoacanthotermes and Protermes , and from the group of ants they include genera such as Palthothyreus and Anomma . Because of this, the giant pangolin can be regarded as strictly myrmecophagous . Occasionally, however, it also eats other insects such as swimming beetles , which it collects from the surface of the water with its tongue. The giant pangolin looks for food mainly on the ground and hunts for it with the help of its sense of smell. The pangolins break open the insect burrows or rotting tree trunks in which the preferred prey resides with the large grave claws of the forefeet. The extremely strong arm muscles enable her to tear open even very solid insect burrows. It devours its prey with its long, sticky tongue, which can grow up to 70 cm long and can be stuck out up to 30 cm from its mouth. While foraging for food, individual animals cover several kilometers and feed on around a dozen different insect burrows. These are not completely destroyed when they eat, but are visited several times in a row. The giant pangolin consumes up to 2 liters of food within a day. Periodically, however, the giant pangolin becomes inactive, during which it does not eat any food. This phase can sometimes be very long and is viewed as a kind of summer rest (estivation). Stored fat reserves may help overcome such times of food shortage.

Reproduction

Little is known about reproduction. It probably takes place all year round, but it can also focus on one season in certain regions. A gestation period of around five months is assumed. Births in September and October were reported from Uganda. The female usually gives birth to a single young. The newborn reaches a length of up to 45 cm and weighs over 500 g. It is relatively well developed and has open eyes and soft scales that take a few days to harden. The tail is characterized by an extremely high degree of mobility and the young have a strong clinging reflex. However, it cannot walk yet and crawls onto its mother's tail with legs outstretched. After about three months, the young will start eating solid food. Mother and young animal usually stay together until the next birth. Life expectancy in the wild is unknown.

Predators and enemy behavior

Among the predators, the leopard deserves special mention. Investigated feces of the big cat in the Lopé National Park only indicate a small proportion of the pangolin species in the entire food spectrum. In addition, all animals were captured during the rainy season. Other potential predators are the northern rock python and crocodiles . In the event of danger, an animal rolls up into a ball and covers unscaled body parts with its tail. But it can also deal blows with the tail or with the extremely powerful claws of the front feet. A harassed or harassed giant pangolin hisses loudly.

Systematics

Internal systematics of the Manidae according to Gaubert et al. 2018
  Manidae  
  Manis  


 Manis crassicaudata


   

 Manis culionensis


   

 Manis javanica




   

 Manis pentadactyla



   
  Smutsia  

 Smutsia gigantea


   

 Smutsia temminckii



  Phataginus  

 Phataginus tetradactyla


   

 Phataginus tricuspis





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The giant pangolin is a species from the genus Smutsia . Within the genus, the steppe pangolin ( Smutsia temminckii ) is to be regarded as the closest relative. According to molecular genetic analyzes, the two species separated in the Upper Miocene about 9.8 million years ago. Smutsia thus unites the two ground-dwelling pangolins of Africa. In addition, the genus is the only member of the subfamily of Smutsiinae within the family of pangolins is (Manidae). As Schwestertaxon the Smutsiinae can Phatagininae with the two tree-dwelling African species of the genus Phataginus be considered. The Asian pangolins, which belong to the genus Manis and the subfamily of the Maninae , on the other hand, belong to a more distant family group. The pangolins are currently the only member of the monotypical order of the Pholidota. The predatory animals (Carnivora) are part of the extensive relationship of the order , but the relationship to one another was only determined and verified through genetic studies.

Apart from the systematic classification of pangolins presented here, there are other approaches. On the one hand, the genus Manis , which includes the Asian representatives, is often regarded as the only recognized genus of pangolins, the other genera including Smutsia then have the status of subgenera. On the other hand, some researchers are of the opinion that pangolins are much more fragmented. The African species are referred to a total of three genera. Smutsia also includes the ground-dwelling pangolins here, but the arboreal animals are then divided into the genera Phataginus ( white-bellied pangolin ) and Uromanis ( long-tailed pangolin ). The division of the pangolin family into the three genera Manis , Phataginus and Smutsia , which is favored today , was first proposed at the end of the 1990s. Subsequent anatomical and phylogenetic studies supported this view.

There are no known subspecies of the giant pangolin. Fossil specimens of the pangolin go back to the Lower Pliocene around 5 million years ago, but like all pangolin can be seen as rare. The discovery of a partial skeleton at the important site Langebaanweg in south-western South Africa , which was discovered in 1976, is outstanding . The surviving bones include the skull, parts of the musculoskeletal system and, with a total of 21 preserved vertebrae, the almost complete tail, the reconstructed length of which was around 63 cm. The skeleton shows some pathological changes, but it can be linked to the giant pangolin based on the proportions of the legs and the robustness of the bones. This early representative was a bit smaller than today's individuals, but larger than the steppe pangolin. In addition to the partial skeleton, the site also contained individual remains of the limbs. The discovery of a complete spoke was again reported from Uganda , which is between 3.6 and 3.45 million years old.

The first scientific description was made in 1815 by Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger . However, Illiger did not indicate a type locality in his publication, but merely pointed out that the giant pangolin he called Manis gigantea is also called "Guinean pangolin". In addition, he ruled out a closer relationship with the Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata . The generic name Smutsia , which is valid today , was introduced by John Edward Gray in 1865.

threat

Like other pangolins, the giant pangolin is subject to heavy hunting by humans. The meat is used as a food resource, and it comes to local markets as an exotic specialty ( bushmeat ). In addition, the animals are also used in local medical practices such as muti or juju , since they or various parts of their bodies are considered medicinal. In 2004, according to studies, giant pangolins with a total of 5 tonnes were traded in five markets in Gabon , which is more than double the amount of white-bellied pangolin in the same period. Experts also assume that the amount of giant pangolins traded makes up around 2% of the total biomass hunted in a region. In some cases, giant pangolins are also registered in international trade, but less often than other African pangolins. The main destination of these exports is East and Southeast Asia , where pangolins are generally important for traditional Chinese medicine . In some cases, the trade also runs through Europe. In 2008, an individual was confiscated by authorities in Paris , and in 2012 an unknown number of animals were shed in Belgium . The giant pangolin has been subject to the Washington Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) since 2000 , any trade in the pangolin or its body parts is prohibited, which means that the CITES zero annual export quota applies. Due to the high level of hunting, the population is expected to have decreased by 20 to 25% since the end of the 1990s. The low density of individuals but also the low rate of reproduction and the terrestrial way of life make individual populations susceptible to overhunting, in Rwanda the giant pangolin may already have become extinct. Because of this, the IUCN lists the species as "endangered" ( vulnerable ). It is represented in several nature reserves. To preserve the population, further studies are required on the distribution of the species and the effects of intensive hunting, as well as the extent of international trade. In addition, the establishment of local protection standards has priority.

literature

  • Phillipe Gaubert: Order Pholidota. In: Don E. Wilson and Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 2: Hooved Mammals. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 2011, ISBN 978-84-96553-77-4 , pp. 82-103 (pp. 99-100)
  • Jonathan Kingdon, Michael Hoffmann and Reginald Hoyt: Smutsia gigantea Giant Pangolin. In: Jonathan Kingdom, David Happold, Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Butynski, Meredith Happold and Jan Kalina (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume V. Carnivores pangolins, equids and rhinoceroses. Bloomsbury, London, 2013, pp. 396-399
  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
  • Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World . 3rd edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Jennifer Botha and Timothy Gaudin: An Early Pliocene pangolin (Mammalia; Pholidota) from Langebaahnweg, South Africa. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27 (2), 2007, pp. 484-491
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h Phillipe Gaubert: Order Pholidota. In: Don E. Wilson and Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 2: Hooved Mammals. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 2011, ISBN 978-84-96553-77-4 , pp. 82-103 (pp. 99-100)
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g h Jonathan Kingdon, Michael Hoffmann and Reginald Hoyt: Smutsia gigantea Giant Pangolin. In: Jonathan Kingdom, David Happold, Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Butynski, Meredith Happold and Jan Kalina (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume V. Carnivores pangolins, equids and rhinoceroses. Bloomsbury, London, 2013, pp. 396-399
  4. ^ FA Jentink: Revision of the Manidae in the Leyden Museum. Notes from the Leyden Museum 4, 1882, pp. 193-209
  5. ^ A b C. Waterman, Darren W. Pietersen, L. Hywood, P. Rankin and D. Soewu: Smutsia gigantea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. ( [1] ); last accessed on January 6, 2015
  6. ↑ P. Henschel, KA Abernethy and LJT White: Leopard food habits in the Lopé national park, Gabon, Central Africa. African Journal of Ecology 43, 2005, pp. 21-28
  7. ↑ a b c Philippe Gaubert, Agostinho Antunes, Hao Meng, Lin Miao, Stéphane Peigné, Fabienne Justy, Flobert Njiokou, Sylvain Dufour, Emmanuel Danquah, Jayanthi Alahakoon, Erik Verheyen, William T. Stanley, Stephen J. O'Brien, Warren E. Johnson and Shu-Jin Luo: The Complete Phylogeny of Pangolins: Scaling Up Resources for the Molecular Tracing of the Most Trafficked Mammals on Earth. Journal of Heredity 109, 2018, pp. 347-359, doi: 10.1093 / jhered / esx097
  8. ↑ William J. Murphy, Eduardo Eizirik, Stephen J. O'Brien, Ole Madsen, Mark Scally, Christophe J. Douady, Emma Teeling, Oliver A. Ryder, Michael J. Stanhope, Wilfried W. de Jong and Mark S. Springer : Resolution of the Early Placental Mammal Radiation Using Bayesian Phylogenetics. Science 294, 2001, pp. 2348-2351
  9. ^ A b Timothy J. Gaudin, Robert J. Emry, and John R. Wible: The Phylogeny of Living and Extinct Pangolins (Mammalia, Pholidota) and Associated Taxa: A Morphology Based Analysis. Journal of Mammalian Evolution 16, 2009, pp. 235-305
  10. ↑ Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . 3rd edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 ( [2] )
  11. ↑ Malcolm C. McKenna and Susan K. Bell: Classification of mammals above the species level. Columbia University Press, New York, 1997, pp. 1-631 (pp. 221-222)
  12. ↑ Timothy J. Gaudin and John R. Wible: The entotympanic of pangolins and the phylogeny of the Pholidota. Journal of Mammalian Evolution 6 (1), 1999, pp. 39-65
  13. ^ Wighart von Koenigswald: Order Pholidota. In: Gertrud E. Rössner and Kurt Heissig: The Miocene land mammals of Europe. Munich, 1999, pp. 75-79
  14. ↑ Timothy J. Gaudin: Pholidota. In: Lars Werdelin and William Joseph Sanders (eds.): Cenozoic Mammals of Africa. University of California Press, Berkeley, London, New York, 2010, pp. 599-602
  15. ^ Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger: Overview of the mammals according to their distribution over the parts of the world. Treatises of the physical class of the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences 1815, pp. 39–159 (p. 84) ( [3] )
  16. ↑ John Edward Gray: Revision of the genera and species of entomophagous Edentata, founded on the examination of the specimens in the British Museum. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1965, pp. 359-386 (pp. 360, 369) ( [4] )
  17. ^ Amie Bräutigam, John Howes, Tamsien Humphreys and Jonathan Hutton: Recent information on the status and utilization of African pangolins. TRAFFIC Bulletin 15, 1994, pp. 15-22
  18. ↑ Anne-Lise Chaber, Sophie Allebone-Webb, Yves Lignereux, Andrew A. Cunningham and J. Marcus Rowcliffe: The scale of illegal meat importation from Africa to Europe via Paris. Conservation Letters 3, 2010, pp. 317-323
  19. ↑ Daniel WS Challender and Lisa Hywood: African pangolins under Increased pressure from poaching and intercontinental trade. TRAFFIC Bulletin 24 (2), 2012, pp. 53-55

Web links

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