Genetic diversity of pangolins in Congo

Bc. Iva Bernáthová

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Pangolins (Pholidota) are a unique group of mammals from the superorder Laurasiatheria with many apomorphies mostly related to myrmecophagy including protective scales, trophic adaptations and expansion to semi-fossorial or arboreal niche. There are eight species of pangolins (four in Asia and four in Africa), all of them are listed on the IUCN Red List as threatened. Monitoring of pangolins using survey methods such as camera traps is difficult, since they are elusive, mostly nocturnal and live either in burrows or treetops. Molecular methods are therefore a great tool to study them. Our study focuses on two African species: the White-bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tricupsis) and the Giant Pangolin (Smutsia gigantea). We used 53 scales, 8 tissues and 3 buccal swabs collected from hunters and villagers in the area in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in Congo. The analyses were based on mitochondrial (control region) and nuclear (beta-fibrinogen, titin) markers. The study revealed high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity in both species according to both mitochondrial and nuclear markers. The median-joining haplotype network for the control region revealed unique geographic lineage of P. tricupsis in Congo. Bayesian Skyline plots showed population expansion P. tricupsis which started 1.5 Mya, stable population course in S. gigantea and recent decline in both species. This is the first detailed population study of these species. Understanding the population biology of the studied populations may contribute to better conservation management and in the fight with illegal trade with these endangered animals.

Keywords

illegal trade, pangolins, Phataginus tricupsis, phylogeny, population genetics, scales, Smutsia gigantea

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 15. 5. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Barbora Černá Bolfíková, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Wildlife Management in the Tropics and Subtropics