| Literature DB >> 28388644 |
Scott J Trageser1, Animesh Ghose1, Muzaffar Faisal1, Passing Mro1, Poroy Mro1, Shahriar Caesar Rahman1.
Abstract
Asian pangolins are a highly-threatened species group, mainly due to the perceived medicinal value of their scales. Increased demand from China has resulted in pangolins being the most trafficked mammal in the world. Three pangolin species are reported to occur in Bangladesh: Manis pentadactyla, M. crassicaudata, and M. javanica. No peer-reviewed studies exist detailing these species' current distribution or status within Bangladesh. A literature review was conducted resulting in the clarification of conflicting reports and misidentified observations and specimen records. In this paper, we also report the current status of pangolins (Manis spp.) in Bangladesh based on semi-structured interviews, camera trapping, media queries, and field surveys employing traditional ecological knowledge and non-randomized transect surveys. Ethnozoological knowledge pertaining to the natural history of M. pentadactyla is also reported from experienced Mro tribal hunters. The critically endangered M. pentadactyla was verified to occur in northwest, northeast, and southeast Bangladesh in natural and degraded habitats. Interviews with the Mro tribe in the southeast indicate that pangolin populations there were likely extirpated in 2014 due to skilled commercial collection beginning in 2010. Evidence of extant M. crassicaudata and M. javanica populations remain unverified and questionable, and historical records of M. crassicaudata and M. javanica are likely a result of misidentification.Entities:
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Year: 2017 PMID: 28388644 PMCID: PMC5384767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175450
Source DB: PubMed Journal: PLoS One ISSN: 1932-6203 Impact factor: 3.240
Fig 1Manis pentadactyla burrow.
Illustration of Manis pentadactyla burrow with barrier. Figure is not drawn to scale.
Fig 2Map of Bangladesh pangolin occurrences.
All currently known Pangolin occurrences in Bangladesh are contained in this dot locality map. Labels correspond to numbers within Table 1 and S7 File.
Pangolin occurrence media query results.
| # | Date of Report | Species | District | Sub-district | Found | Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-May-13 | Moulvibazaar | Kuluara | Village | Mixed-evergreen | ||
| 20-Oct-14 | Thakurgao | Ranishainkol | Village | Dry deciduous | ||
| 11-Oct-14 | Thakurgao | Baliadanga | Village | Dry deciduous | ||
| 2-Jul-12 | Cox's Bazar | Cox's Bazar | Forest | Mixed-evergreen | ||
| 5-May-11 | Mymensingh | Haluaghat | Forest | Mixed-Evergreen or Deciduous |
a Species identification was difficult to obtain from provided picture, but was likely M. pentadactyla.