Startseite Reproductive physiology of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan
Artikel
Lizenziert
Nicht lizenziert Erfordert eine Authentifizierung

Reproductive physiology of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan

  • Tariq Mahmood ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Asma Bibi , Shazia Shamas , Shaista Andleeb , Faraz Akrim , Bushra Nisar Khan , Irfan Zia Qureshi , Muhammad Sajid Nadeem ORCID logo , Amjad Rashid Kayani , Muhammad Mushtaq , Nausheen Irshad und Shumaila Noreen
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 14. Oktober 2024
Mammalia
Aus der Zeitschrift Mammalia Band 88 Heft 6

Abstract

The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is an “endangered” mammal species that is restricted to four range countries of Asia. The ecology and breeding behavior of Indian pangolins is poorly understood due to a lack of scientific data. Due to heavy poaching and illegal killing, the species population has declined drastically in the last decade. Considering the fact that Indian pangolin has low reproductive output, it needs special conservation measures and authentic information about its breeding ecology. We estimated concentrations of three reproductive hormones from scats using ELISA kits in male and female pangolins inhabiting the Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan, to confirm its breeding pattern in its range. Testosterone levels were found elevated from May (0.59 ng/ml) until October (1.28 ng/ml). Oestradiol levels were raised from May (0.59 pg/ml) until December (2.64 pg/ml). Progesterone concentrations were relatively low from January until March but increased from April (4.85 pg/ml) through December (14.0 pg/ml) with highest concentrations (20.13 pg/ml) in September and October. Mean hormone (testosterone, oestradiol and progesterone) concentrations were elevated in winter compared to summer (p < 0.001). The current study is the first one to quantify hormonal levels in this species, and our findings establish the breeding pattern of Indian pangolin.

Keywords: breeding; ELISA; Indian pangolin; hormones; reproduction
Corresponding author: Tariq Mahmood, Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan; and IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, c/o Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK, E-mail:

Funding source: Not Applicable

Acknowledgments

The authors are highly grateful to PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan for provision of biochemical ELISA kits for hormonal estimations. We are also thankful to the staff of Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, District Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum and Rawalpindi, for facilitation in the field during scat sample collection.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: Field work and data curation: AB & TM; concept, study design: TM, MM, & FA; data analysis: FA, MSN, ARK, SA ELISA: SS, BNK, SN, & IZQ; manuscript write up: TM, SA & NI.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

References

Akrim, F., Fatima, H., Nazir, S.A., Mahmood, T., Hussain, R., and Nadeem, M.S. (2017). Seasonal hormones, female reproductive tract changes, and some field observations on breeding activities of the small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) from its native range of Potohar Plateau, Pakistan. Turkish J. Zool. 41: 664–673, https://doi.org/10.3906/zoo-1512-14.Suche in Google Scholar

Arora, B., Pei, K.J., and Chin, S. (2023). New horizons in the reproductive biology of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) using the gonadal hormonal profle. Sci. Rep. 13: 16630, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43237-0.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Behringer, V. and Deschner, T. (2017). Non-invasive monitoring of physiological markers in primates. Horm. Behav. 91: 3–18, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.02.001.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed

Benagiano, G., Brosens, I., and Habiba, M. (2015). Adenomyosis: a life-cycle approach. Reprod. BioMed. Online 30: 220–232, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.11.005.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed

Challender, D.W.S., Waterman, C., and Baillie, J.E.M. (2014). Scaling up pangolin conservation. IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group Conservation Action Plan.Suche in Google Scholar

Challender, D.W.S., Wu, S., Kaspal, P., Khatiwada, A., Ghose, A., Ching-Min Sun, N., Mohapatra, R.K., and Laxmi Suwal, T. (2019a). Manis pentadactyla (errata version published in 2020). The IUCN red list of threatened species 2019: e.T12764A168392151. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12764A168392151.en (Accessed 22 January 2024).Suche in Google Scholar

Challender, D.W.S., Willcox, D.H.A., Panjang, E., Lim, N., Nash, H., Heinrich, S., Chong, J. (2019b). Manis javanica. The IUCN red list of threatened species 2019: e.T12763A123584856, London. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12763A123584856.en (Accessed 22 January 2024).Suche in Google Scholar

Challender, D.W.S., Nash, H., and Waterman, C. (Eds.) (2019c). Pangolins: science, society and conservation. Biodiversity of the world: conservation from genes to landscapes, 1st ed. Academic Press.Suche in Google Scholar

Dickman, C.R. and Richer, R.A. (2001). Pangolins. In: Macdonald, D.W. (Ed.). The encyclopedia of mammals. Facts on File, New York, pp. 800–801.Suche in Google Scholar

Graham, L.H. (2004). Non-invasive monitoring of reproduction in zoo and wildlife species. Annual Rev. Biomed. Sci. 6: 91–98, https://doi.org/10.5016/1806-8774.2004v6p91.Suche in Google Scholar

Heath, M.E. (1995). Manis crassicaudata. Mamm. Species 513: 1–4, https://doi.org/10.2307/3504173.Suche in Google Scholar

Heinrich, S., Wittmann, T.A., Prowse, T.A.A., Ross, V., Delean, S., Shepherd, C.R., and Cassey, P. (2016). Where did all the pangolins go? International CITES trade in pangolin species. Global Ecol. Conserv. 8: 241–253, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2016.09.007.Suche in Google Scholar

Hua, L., Gong, S., Wang, F., Li, W., Ge, Y., Li, X., and Hou, F. (2015). Captive breeding of pangolins: current status, problems and future prospects. ZooKeys 507: 99–114, https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.507.6970114.Suche in Google Scholar

Ingram, D.J., Shirley, M.H., Pietersen, D., Godwill Ichu, I., Sodeinde, O., Moumbolou, C., Hoffmann, M., Gudehus, M., Challender, D. (2019). Phataginus tetradactyla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T12766A123586126. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12766A123586126.en (Accessed 22 January 2024).Suche in Google Scholar

Irshad, N., Mahmood, T., Hussain, R., and Nadeem, M.S. (2015). Distribution, abundance and diet of the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata). Animal Biology 65: 57–71.10.1163/15707563-00002462Suche in Google Scholar

Irshad, N., Mahmood, T., and Nadeem, M.S. (2016). Morpho-anatomical characteristics of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) from Potohar Plateau, Pakistan. Mammalia 80: 103–110.10.1515/mammalia-2014-0179Suche in Google Scholar

Israel, S., Sinclair, T., Grewal, B., and Hoefer, H.J. (1987). Indian wildlife. APA Productions (HK) Ltd., Hong Kong, p. 363.Suche in Google Scholar

Lim, N.T.L. and Ng, P.K.L. (2008). Home range, activity cycle and natal den usage of a female Sunda pangolin Manis javanica (Mammalia: Pholidota) in Singapore. Endang. Sp. Res. 4: 233–240.10.3354/esr00032Suche in Google Scholar

Mahmood, T., Andleeb, S., Anwar, M., Rais, M., Nadeem, M.S., Akrim, F., and Hussain, R. (2015). Distribution, abundance and vegetation analysis of the scaly anteater (Manis crassicaudata) in Margalla Hills national park Islamabad, Pakistan. J. Anim. Plant Sci. 25: 1311–1321.Suche in Google Scholar

Mahmood, T., Hussain, R., Irshad, N., Akrim, F., and Nadeem, M.S. (2012). Illegal mass killing of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Potohar region, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool 44: 1457–1461.Suche in Google Scholar

Mahmood, T., Irshad, N., and Hussain, R. (2014). Habitat preference and population estimates of Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in district Chakwal of Potohar Plateau, Pakistan. Russ. J. Ecol. 45: 70–75.10.1134/S1067413614010081Suche in Google Scholar

Mahmood, T., Irshad, N., Hussain, R., Akrim, F., Hussain, I., Anwar, M., Rais, M., and Nadeem, M.S. (2016). Breeding habits of the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Potohar Plateau, Pakistan. Mammalia 80: 231–234, https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2014-0153.Suche in Google Scholar

Mahmood, T., Akrim, F., Irshad, N., Hussain, R., Fatima, H., Andleeb, S., and Aihetasham, A. (2017). Distribution and illegal killing of the Endangered Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata on the Potohar Plateau, Pakistan. Oryx 53: 1–6, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605317000023.Suche in Google Scholar

Mahmood, T., Akrim, F., Irshad, N., Hussain, R., Hira, F., Aihetasham, A., Shaista, and Ayesha, A. (2019). Distribution and illegal killing of the endangered Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata on the Potohar Plateau, Pakistan. Oryx 53: 159–164, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605317000023.Suche in Google Scholar

Microarquitecturales, A., Africano, P., Keji, S.T., Oluwayinka, P.O., Abayomi, T.A., and Ajayi, S.A. (2008). Microarchitectural adaptations in the stomach of African tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). Int. J. Morphol. 26: 701–705, https://doi.org/10.4067/s0717-95022008000300031.Suche in Google Scholar

Mishra, S. and Panda, S. (2012). Distribution of Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata Gray (Pholidota, Manidae) in Orissa: a rescue prospective. Small Mammal Mail 3: 51–53.Suche in Google Scholar

Mohapatra, R.K. and Panda, S. (2014). Behavioural descriptions of Indian pangolins (Manis crassicaudata) in captivity. Int. J. Zool. 2014: 7, https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/795062.Suche in Google Scholar

Naidenko, S.V., Ivanov, E.A., Lukarevskii, V.S., Blanco, J.A.H., Sorokin, P.A., Litvinov, M.N., Kotlyar, A.K., and Rozhnov, V.V. (2011). Activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenals axis in the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) in captivity and in the wild, and its dynamics throughout the year. Biol. Bull. Russian Acad. Sci. 3: 301–305, https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359011030095.Suche in Google Scholar

Nixon, S., Pietersen, D., Challender, D., Hoffmann, M., Godwill Ichu, I., Bruce, T., Ingram, D.J., Matthews, N., and Shirley, M.H. (2019). Smutsia gigantea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T12762A123584478. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12762A123584478.en (Accessed 22 January 2024).Suche in Google Scholar

Pietersen, D., Moumbolou, C., Ingram, D.J., Soewu, D., Jansen, R., Sodeinde, O., Keboy Mov Linkey Iflankoy, C., Challender, D., and Shirley, M.H. (2019a). Phataginus tricuspis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T12767A123586469. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12767A123586469.en (Accessed 22 January 2024).Suche in Google Scholar

Pietersen, D., Jansen, R., and Connelly, E. (2019b). Smutsia temminckii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2019): e.T12765A123585768. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12765A123585768.en (Accessed on 22 January 2024).Suche in Google Scholar

Prater, S. (1980). The book of Indian animals. Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press, Mumbai.Suche in Google Scholar

Ratcliffe, W.A., Carter, G.D., Dowse, M., Hillier, S.G., Middle, J.G., and Reed, M.J. (1988). Oestradiol assays: applications and guidelines for the provision of a clinical biochemistry service. Ann. Clin. Biochem. 25: 466–483, https://doi.org/10.1177/000456328802500502.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed

Roberts, T.J. (1997). The mammals of Pakistan, Revised edition. Oxford University Press, London.Suche in Google Scholar

Roberts, T. and Vielliard, J. (1971). Commentaires sur le grand pangolin indien Manis crassicaudata. Mammalia 35: 610–613.10.1515/mamm.1971.35.4.610Suche in Google Scholar

Schoppe, S., Katsis, L., and Lagrada, L. (2019). Manis culionensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T136497A123586862. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T136497A123586862.en (Accessed 22 January 2024).Suche in Google Scholar

Tietz, N.W. (Ed.) (1995). Clinical guide to laboratory tests, 3rd ed. W. B. Saunders Co, Philadelphia, pp. 578–580.Suche in Google Scholar

Waseem, M., Raza, A., Aisha, H., Awan, M.N., Ahmad, T., Nazir, R., and Mahmood, T. (2020). Scale of illegal killing and trade associated with Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool 52, https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/2020.52.1.69.77.Suche in Google Scholar

Wilson, E. and Reeder, D.M. (2005). Mammal species of the world. A taxonomic and geographic reference, 3rd ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Maryland.10.56021/9780801882210Suche in Google Scholar

Yang, J., Ou, C., Ding, Y., Zhou, Y., and Chen, P. (2012). Daily temperature and mortality: a study of distributed lag non-linear effect and effect modification in Guangzhou. Environ. Health 11: 63, https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-11-63.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Zhang, F., Wu, S., Zou, C., Wang, Q., Li, S., and Sun, R. (2016). A note on captive breeding and reproductive parameters of the Chinese pangolin, Manis pentadactyla Linnaeus, 1758. Zookeys 618: 144, https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.618.8886.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Received: 2024-03-06
Accepted: 2024-08-14
Published Online: 2024-10-14
Published in Print: 2024-11-26

© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Artikel in diesem Heft

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Ecology
  3. Novel insights into red deer (Cervus elaphus) habitat use and suitability in human-dominated versus near-natural landscapes
  4. Effect of conifer afforestation on the occurrence and food availability for Zaedyus pichiy (Xenarthra: Chlamyphoridae) in the north-western Patagonian steppe of Argentina
  5. Effect of seasonal variation on feeding and food preference of olive baboons (Papio anubis) in a protected Guinean savannah of West Africa
  6. Noteworthy records of survival, longevity, and recruitment in a key area for jaguars in Western Mexico
  7. The forbidden fruit: toque macaques (Macaca sinica) feeding on invasive pond apple (Annona glabra) in Sri Lankan mangroves
  8. Electrocutions as an important cause of mortality for a mesocarnivore
  9. Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) and mesocarnivores in a Mongolian protected area
  10. Materials of garden dormouse summer nests in Germany
  11. Increase in the frequency of melanism in Abert’s Squirrel in Boulder, Colorado
  12. The importance of rodents to a specialist carnivore in an industrialized site
  13. A stranding of pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) near Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico confirms the presence of the species in the Mexican Caribbean
  14. First report of a leucistic Brown Agouti (Dasyprocta variegata) in Bolivia
  15. Predation of Natalus macrourus (Chiroptera: Natalidae) by Trachops cirrhosus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in a ferriferous Brazilian Amazon cave
  16. Biogeography
  17. Current distribution of the Reeves’ muntjac Muntiacus reevesi (Ogilby, 1839) in France
  18. Climate change impacts on the distribution of Dryomys laniger (woolly dormouse) in Türkiye: a data-driven approach
  19. First record of the grand leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros grandis (Hipposideridae), from Bangladesh
  20. Rediscovery of the Bavarian pine vole (Microtus bavaricus) in Germany
  21. Southernmost occurrence of Cuniculus paca (Rodentia, Cuniculidae): new Argentinean localities based on vouchers
  22. New findings on the karyotype and distribution of two Rhipidomys Tschudi, 1845 species (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from Upper Purus River
  23. Physiology
  24. Reproductive physiology of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan
  25. Evolutionary Biology
  26. Genetic analysis brings evidence of the sexual selection hypothesis for an infanticide event in giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus)
  27. Taxonomy/Phylogeny
  28. Three small species of shrews (Soricidae) from the Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, representing two new taxa and a new record
  29. Molecular analysis reveals the evolutionary distinctiveness of the Silver-backed Chevrotain within the genus Tragulus
  30. Museology/History of Science
  31. The names of the Dusky Striped Squirrel (Funambulus obscurus, Sciuridae) and Kathleen Ryley in the Bombay Natural History Society’s Mammal Survey
https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2024-0032
Schlagwörter für diesen Artikel
breeding; ELISA; Indian pangolin; hormones; reproduction

Artikel in diesem Heft

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Ecology
  3. Novel insights into red deer (Cervus elaphus) habitat use and suitability in human-dominated versus near-natural landscapes
  4. Effect of conifer afforestation on the occurrence and food availability for Zaedyus pichiy (Xenarthra: Chlamyphoridae) in the north-western Patagonian steppe of Argentina
  5. Effect of seasonal variation on feeding and food preference of olive baboons (Papio anubis) in a protected Guinean savannah of West Africa
  6. Noteworthy records of survival, longevity, and recruitment in a key area for jaguars in Western Mexico
  7. The forbidden fruit: toque macaques (Macaca sinica) feeding on invasive pond apple (Annona glabra) in Sri Lankan mangroves
  8. Electrocutions as an important cause of mortality for a mesocarnivore
  9. Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) and mesocarnivores in a Mongolian protected area
  10. Materials of garden dormouse summer nests in Germany
  11. Increase in the frequency of melanism in Abert’s Squirrel in Boulder, Colorado
  12. The importance of rodents to a specialist carnivore in an industrialized site
  13. A stranding of pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) near Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico confirms the presence of the species in the Mexican Caribbean
  14. First report of a leucistic Brown Agouti (Dasyprocta variegata) in Bolivia
  15. Predation of Natalus macrourus (Chiroptera: Natalidae) by Trachops cirrhosus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in a ferriferous Brazilian Amazon cave
  16. Biogeography
  17. Current distribution of the Reeves’ muntjac Muntiacus reevesi (Ogilby, 1839) in France
  18. Climate change impacts on the distribution of Dryomys laniger (woolly dormouse) in Türkiye: a data-driven approach
  19. First record of the grand leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros grandis (Hipposideridae), from Bangladesh
  20. Rediscovery of the Bavarian pine vole (Microtus bavaricus) in Germany
  21. Southernmost occurrence of Cuniculus paca (Rodentia, Cuniculidae): new Argentinean localities based on vouchers
  22. New findings on the karyotype and distribution of two Rhipidomys Tschudi, 1845 species (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from Upper Purus River
  23. Physiology
  24. Reproductive physiology of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan
  25. Evolutionary Biology
  26. Genetic analysis brings evidence of the sexual selection hypothesis for an infanticide event in giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus)
  27. Taxonomy/Phylogeny
  28. Three small species of shrews (Soricidae) from the Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, representing two new taxa and a new record
  29. Molecular analysis reveals the evolutionary distinctiveness of the Silver-backed Chevrotain within the genus Tragulus
  30. Museology/History of Science
  31. The names of the Dusky Striped Squirrel (Funambulus obscurus, Sciuridae) and Kathleen Ryley in the Bombay Natural History Society’s Mammal Survey
Jetzt anmelden und 20% sparen
Institutioneller Zugang
Wie funktioniert Authentifizierung?
Haben Sie eine Idee, wie wir unsere Website verbessern können?
Bitte schreiben Sie uns.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Heruntergeladen am 1.10.2025 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/mammalia-2024-0032/html
Button zum nach oben scrollen