190-year-old DNA reveals a hidden pangolin species

A previously unrecognized Asian pangolin species, Manis aurita, has been confirmed to inhabit Nepal and Northern India, according to a study published in Communications Biology. The discovery, which took more than five years of research, clarifies the relationships between different pangolin species, where they live, and how they can be distinguished.

This information may aid authorities in identifying where illegally traded pangolins are being hunted and strengthen anti-poaching efforts. The study's lead author, Narayan Koju, emphasizes the importance of long-term research, international collaboration, and museum collections in confirming the existence of Manis aurita. The classification of Himalayan pangolins had already begun to change in 2025, when another research team determined that animals previously grouped together as Chinese pangolins represented two distinct species.

One species resides mainly in China, while the other inhabits the Himalayan foothills across Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Myanmar, and is now officially named Manis aurita. Genetic material extracted from a 1836 museum specimen confirmed that the animals described as Manis indoburmanica were actually members of Manis aurita, making the latter the correct scientific name.

The Himalayan pangolin differs from the Chinese pangolin in several subtle but significant ways, such as having a larger body, longer tail, and smaller ears. These distinctions are crucial for conservation efforts, as understanding species boundaries can help target poaching efforts and improve reintroduction programs for pangolins in their native habitats.