Conservation genomics of the critically endangered Chinese pangolin.

Abstract

The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla, MP) has been extensively exploited and is now on the brink of extinction, but its population structure, evolutionary history, and adaptive potential are unclear. Here, we analyzed 94 genomes from three subspecies of the Chinese pangolin and identified three distinct genetic clusters (MPA, MPB, and MPC), with MPB further divided into MPB1 and MPB2 subpopulations. The divergence of these populations was driven by past climate change. For MPB2 and MPC, recent human activities have caused dramatic population decline and small population size as well as increased inbreeding, but not decrease in genomic variation and increase in genetic load probably due to strong gene flow; therefore, it is crucial to strengthen in situ habitat management for these two populations. By contrast, although human activities have a milder impact on MPA, it is at high risk of extinction due to long-term contraction and isolation, and genetic rescue is urgently needed. MPB1 exhibited a relatively healthy population status and can potentially serve as a source population. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the conservation of the Chinese pangolin and biogeography of the mammals of eastern Asia.