Genomic history of a trafficked pangolin reveals evolutionary splits and conservation priorities
A landmark conservation genomics study of the white-bellied pangolin, the world’s most trafficked mammal, has reconstructed its evolutionary history using 209 whole genomes and 215 mitochondrial genomes. The research reveals four distinct nuclear genetic lineages and six mitochondrial lineages, uncovering a complex pattern of mito-nuclear discordance likely driven by deep mitochondrial divergence and lineage replacement. The findings suggest that Pleistocene refugia and river barriers played key roles in this genetic differentiation and biogeographic diversification. While historical population sizes fluctuated with glacial-interglacial cycles, a recent, severe decline is directly linked to overexploitation from international trade. Critically, the study identifies the Nigeria and West Africa lineages as having critically low genetic diversity, high inbreeding, and diminished evolutionary potential, marking them as urgent conservation priorities.
Why it might matter to you: This study provides a powerful, modern framework for phylogeography and conservation genetics, directly applicable to understanding speciation, population bottlenecks, and adaptive potential in other endangered species. For professionals focused on evolutionary biology, it demonstrates how large-scale genomic data can resolve complex histories of divergence and identify populations most vulnerable to extinction, offering a template for prioritizing conservation action based on genetic fitness and future evolutionary trajectories.
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