Manis Javanica Research Articles

Translational Structure Map of SARS-CoV-2: A Clinical Analysis of its Origin

Background: SARS-CoV-2 was declared a global health emergency by WHO Emergency Committee based on growing case notification rates at Chinese and international locations. In this paper, we present an approach to understand the probable clinical origin of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A combination of citation network analysis, analysis of Medical Heading Subject (MeSH) terms, and quantitative content analysis of scientific literature, was employed to map the organization of the clinical origin of SARS-CoV-2 in this paper. Results: According to the results of the study, a genome of the first 2019-nCoV strain in Hangzhou was obtained, and phylogenetic analysis showed the genome to be closest to the genome of a bat SARS-like coronavirus strain, RaTG13, with an identity of 96.11%. Conclusion: The studies show that the dead Malayan pangolins found close to the outbreak of COVID-19 in China may have carried coronavirus closely related to SARS-CoV-2.

Phylogeography of the Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica: Implications for taxonomy, conservation management and wildlife forensics.

The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is the most widely distributed Asian pangolin species, occurring across much of Southeast Asia and in southern China. It is classified as Critically Endangered and is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, which not only negatively impacts wild Sunda pangolin populations but also poses a potential disease risk to other species, including humans and livestock. Here, we aimed to investigate the species' phylogeography across its distribution to improve our understanding of the species' evolutionary history, elucidate any taxonomic uncertainties and enhance the species' conservation genetic management and potential wildlife forensics applications. We sequenced mtDNA genomes from 23 wild Sunda pangolins of known provenance originating from Malaysia to fill sampling gaps in previous studies, particularly in Borneo. To conduct phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of Sunda pangolins across their range, we integrated these newly generated mitochondrial genomes with previously generated mtDNA and nuclear DNA data sets (RAD-seq SNP data). We identified an evolutionarily distinct mtDNA lineage in north Borneo, estimated to be ~1.6 million years divergent from lineages in west/south Borneo and the mainland, comparable to the divergence time from the Palawan pangolin. There appeared to be mitonuclear discordance, with no apparent genetic structure across Borneo based on analysis of nuclear SNPs. These findings are consistent with the 'out of Borneo hypothesis', whereby Sunda pangolins diversified in Borneo before subsequently migrating throughout Sundaland, and/or a secondary contact scenario between mainland and Borneo. We have elucidated possible taxonomic issues in the Sunda/Palawan pangolin complex and highlight the critical need for additional georeferenced samples to accurately apportion its range-wide genetic variation into appropriate taxonomic and conservation units. Additionally, these data have improved forensic identification testing involving these species and permit the implementation of geographic provenance testing in some scenarios.

Sunda pangolins show inconsistent responses to disturbances across multiple scales

AbstractPangolins are the most trafficked animals worldwide and are presumed to be restricted to pristine habitats due to poaching intensity in more accessible degraded areas or intrinsic habitat preferences. We tested the hypothesis that pangolins' could persist in degraded areas and near humans if poaching is controlled. We used occurrence records from new and published camera trapping studies from across Southeast Asia to conduct a multiscale analysis of habitat associations for the Critically Endangered Sunda pangolin, encompassing poached and non‐poached areas. Our results were highly influenced by Singapore, where pangolins are common in urban settings and there is minimal poaching. Excluding Singapore, there were no significant landscape‐level habitat associations, reflecting pangolins are habitat generalists. At local scales (including and excluding Singapore), occupancy was negatively correlated with active deforestation but not previously degraded forests. We conclude that with strong antipoaching enforcement, pangolins are unexpectedly adaptable, with Singapore exemplifying the potential for species recovery.

Continuous surveillance and viral discovery in animals and humans are a core component of a one-health approach to address recent viral reverse zoonoses.

Contemporary human and animal viruses have a broad or narrow host range-those with a broad host range are potentially transmitted from animals to humans (ie, zoonosis) or humans to animals (ie, reverse zoonosis). This Currents in One Health article reviews the recent reverse zoonoses involving Coronaviridae, Poxviridae, arboviruses, and, for nonhuman primate species, the human respiratory viruses. The prevention and control of reverse zoonoses are also reviewed. Coronaviruses continue to emerge as new zoonotic agents, including a canine coronavirus, CCoV-HuPn-2018, circulating in people at low levels, and a pangolin coronavirus, MjHKU4r-CoV-1, circulating in Malayan pangolins. Moreover, the risk for SARS-CoV-2 variants to mutate in animal reservoirs and reinfect humans is ongoing. In the case of mpox, the risk of reverse zoonosis is low and there are vaccines for use in humans at risk. The situation with arboviruses is as varied as the number of human arboviruses, and only yellow fever virus and dengue virus have licensed vaccines in the Americas. As for reverse zoonoses in endangered species, solutions require changing human behavior and policies at all levels impacting wildlife. Overall, continuous surveillance and viral discovery in humans and animals remain core components of a one-health approach to reduce and, where possible, eliminate zoonotic and reverse zoonotic diseases. Viral zoonosis and viral reverse zoonosis focusing on recent influenza A virus disease events in humans and other species are the subjects of the companion Currents in One Health by Kibenge, AJVR, June 2023.

Specific mating behavior of Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) in captivity

Pangolin is a mysterious animal in the Family Pholidota, Mammalia. Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) is one of eight existing species and is listed in Manis. With the number of wild pangolins (Manis spp.) rapidly decreasing, captive breeding has become an important way to protect them from extinction. The research on mating behavior of pangolins is an important content to understand its reproductive characteristics and develop breeding management. From 2016 to 2022, a total of 360 mating events were observed in six males and 24 females through closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance. The results show that males do not engage in complex courtship behavior before mating. In addition, we found that male pangolins adopted a ventrolateral mating position. Once males selected the side (left/right) of the female pangolin from which to approach to mate, they usually remained on the same side for subsequent mating, suggesting that male pangolins may have a preference in mating position. Finally, all mating events were observed at 1.72 ± 1.47 (n = 83, Mean ± SD) days after cohabitation and adjustment time before mating (from the male touching the female to intromission) took 4.98 ± 3.86 mins (n = 323). During mating, males hugged females and remained still for 47.37 ± 10.08 seconds (n = 323), which is the ejaculation and post-ejaculation quiescent time. Remarkably, we observed for the first time two peak mating times, 19:00 to 22:00 and 1:00 to 3:00, suggesting that they may have a preference for mating times. This study provides new insight into the mating behavior of M. javanica and contributes to the development of scientific conservation measures to improve the reproductive capacity of M. javanica.

Pathogenicity, tissue tropism and potential vertical transmission of SARSr-CoV-2 in Malayan pangolins.

Malayan pangolin SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus (SARSr-CoV-2) is closely related to SARS-CoV-2. However, little is known about its pathogenicity in pangolins. Using CT scans we show that SARSr-CoV-2 positive Malayan pangolins are characterized by bilateral ground-glass opacities in lungs in a similar manner to COVID-19 patients. Histological examination and blood gas tests are indicative of dyspnea. SARSr-CoV-2 infected multiple organs in pangolins, with the lungs the major target, and histological expression data revealed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were co-expressed with viral RNA. Transcriptome analysis indicated that virus-positive pangolins were likely to have inadequate interferon responses, with relative greater cytokine and chemokine activity in the lung and spleen. Notably, both viral RNA and viral proteins were detected in three pangolin fetuses, providing initial evidence for vertical virus transmission. In sum, our study outlines the biological framework of SARSr-CoV-2 in pangolins, revealing striking similarities to COVID-19 in humans.

Molecular Evolution of Interferon-Epsilon (IFNε) Pseudogene Modulates Innate and Specific Antiviral Immunity in Manis javanica

Interferon-Epsilon (IFNε) is a type of interferon, a protein that plays a role in the immune response to viral infections. This study is aimed at examining the molecular evolution of the IFNε pseudogene in Manis javanica, and it has been found to modulate the innate and specific antiviral immunity in this species. In this study, we identified that IFNε gene has undergone rapid evolution in Manis javanica, with the human and primate IFNε genes showing evidence of positive selection. This suggests that IFNε has played an important role in the evolution of the immune system, possibly in response to coevolution with viral pathogens. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the IFNε pseudogene in pangolins originated from a gene duplication event approximately 48 million years ago. It subsequently lost its protein-coding function due to multiple deleterious mutations. However, the IFNε pseudogene exhibits a high degree of conservation in its promoter region, suggesting it may still play a regulatory role in antiviral immunity. This suggests that the pseudogene may have evolved to serve an important function in the pangolin’s immune system, potentially helping to protect it from viral infections. The molecular evolution of IFNε provides insights into the coevolutionary dynamics between host immune systems and viral pathogens and may have implications for developing new antiviral therapies.

A Camera-Trap Survey of Mammals in Thung Yai Naresuan (East) Wildlife Sanctuary in Western Thailand.

The Thung Yai Naresuan (East) Wildlife Sanctuary (TYNE), in the core area of the Western Forest Complex of Thailand, harbors a diverse assemblage of wildlife, and the region has become globally significant for mammal conservation. From April 2010 to January 2012, 106 camera traps were set, and, in 1817 trap-nights, registered 1821 independent records of 32 mammal species. Of the 17 IUCN-listed (from Near Threatened to Critically Endangered) mammal species recorded, 5 species listed as endangered or critically endangered included the Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus), tiger (Panthera tigris), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), dhole (Cuon alpinus), and Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica). The northern red muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis), large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha), Malayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyuran), and sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) were the most frequently recorded species (10-22 photos/100 trap-nights), representing 62% of all independent records, while the golden jackal (Canis aureus), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), and Sunda pangolin were the least photographed (<0.1/100 trap-nights). Species accumulation curves indicated that the number of camera trap locations needed to record 90% of taxa recorded varied from 26 sites for herbivores to 67 sites for all mammals. TYNE holds a rich community of mammals, but some differences in photo-rates from an adjacent sanctuary and comparisons with other research on local mammals suggest that some species are rare and some are missed because of the limitations of our technique. We also conclude that the management and conservation plan, which involves the exclusion of human activities from some protected areas and strict protection efforts in the sanctuaries, is still suitable for providing key habitats for endangered wildlife populations, and that augmented and regular survey efforts will help in this endeavor.

Comparison of Venous Blood Gas and Biochemical Parameters in Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica) and Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) before and after Isoflurane Anesthesia

Venous blood gas analytes are commonly examined in animals, and the results may be important when evaluating the overall health status of an animal. Pangolins are critically endangered mammals, and there is limited information on their physiological reference values in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyze venous blood gas and biochemical parameters before and during isoflurane anesthesia in wild healthy Sunda and Chinese pangolins. The results obtained showed that the blood gas index trends of the two pangolin species before and after isoflurane anesthesia were the same. After anesthesia, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), total carbon dioxide (CO2), mean blood bicarbonate (HCO3-), extracellular fluid compartment (BEecf) base excess and the mean blood glucose (Glu) levels of both pangolin species showed a significant increase compared to the pre-anesthesia period. In contrast, the mean blood potassium (K+), lactate (Lac) and mean blood pH levels were significantly lower. No significant differences in the mean blood sodium (Na+) or blood ionized calcium (iCa) levels were observed during anesthesia. This study is important for future comparisons and understanding the health status of this endangered species.

Mitochondrial Genomes Assembled from Non-Invasive eDNA Metagenomic Scat Samples in Critically Endangered Mammals.

The abundance of many large-bodied vertebrates, both in marine and terrestrial environments, has declined substantially due to global and regional climate stressors that define the Anthropocene. The development of genetic tools that can serve to monitor population's health non-intrusively and inform strategies for the recovery of these species is crucial. In this study, we formally evaluate whether whole mitochondrial genomes can be assembled from environmental DNA (eDNA) metagenomics scat samples. Mitogenomes of four different large vertebrates, the panda bear (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), the moon bear (Ursus thibetanus), the Java pangolin (Manis javanica), and the the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) were assembled and circularized using the pipeline GetOrganelle with a coverage ranging from 12x to 480x in 14 out of 18 different eDNA samples. Partial mitochondrial genomes were retrieved from three other eDNA samples. The complete mitochondrial genomes of the studied species were AT-rich and comprised 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a putative D-loop/control region. Synteny observed in all assembled mitogenomes was identical to that reported for specimens of the same and other closely related species. This study demonstrates that it is possible to assemble accurate whole mitochondrial chromosomes from eDNA samples (scats) using forthright bench and bioinformatics workflows. The retrieval of mitochondrial genomes from eDNA samples represents a tool to support bioprospecting, bio-monitoring, and other non-intrusive conservation strategies in species considered 'vulnerable', 'endangered', and/or 'critically endangered' by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Clinical haematology, biochemistry profiles and erythrocytic morphometry of confiscated Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) in the Centre for Rehabilitation and Quarantine of Confiscated Animals, Wildlife and Alien Species, Thailand

Every year, ten thousand Sunda Pangolins (Manis javanica) are rescued and confiscated from the illegal trade around Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Most of them are usually moribund and need intensive veterinary interventions to recover their health before being released to the wild. However, a lack of reliable haematology and clinical biochemistry references for Thai confiscated Sunda pangolins is a major difficulty for reaching this goal. The aim of this study was to establish a standard panel of haematology and serum biochemistry profiles used for confiscated pangolins in Thailand. Coccygeal venepuncture of 52 confiscated pangolins was performed. Haematology and serum biochemistry data acquisitions were made using automated blood analysers. The lower and upper limits at 90% confidence interval were calculated. The means of all parameters were calculated and then compared with those in two previous studies (p &lt; 0.005). Blood corpuscle morphometry was done manually. All blood corpuscles in females were bigger than males. There were differences of haematologic and biochemical parameters among this study and previous studies in some aspects. Wide scientific discussion was made to explain these variations. A panel of haematology and serum biochemistry profiles for Thai confiscated Sunda pangolin has been established. Veterinarians can refer to all parameters to evaluate the animals’ health and diseases.

A bat MERS-like coronavirus circulates in pangolins and utilizes human DPP4 and host proteases for cell entry.

It is unknown whether pangolins, the most trafficked mammals, play a role in the zoonotic transmission of bat coronaviruses. We report the circulation of a novel MERS-like coronavirus in Malayan pangolins, named Manis javanica HKU4-related coronavirus (MjHKU4r-CoV). Among 86 animals, four tested positive by pan-CoV PCR, and seven tested seropositive (11 and 12.8%). Four nearly identical (99.9%) genome sequences were obtained, and one virus was isolated (MjHKU4r-CoV-1). This virus utilizes human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (hDPP4) as a receptor and host proteases for cell infection, which is enhanced by a furin cleavage site that is absent in all known bat HKU4r-CoVs. The MjHKU4r-CoV-1 spike shows higher binding affinity for hDPP4, and MjHKU4r-CoV-1 has a wider host range than bat HKU4-CoV. MjHKU4r-CoV-1 is infectious and pathogenic in human airways and intestinal organs and in hDPP4-transgenic mice. Our study highlights the importance of pangolins as reservoir hosts of coronaviruses poised for human disease emergence.

A SARS-CoV-2-Related Virus from Malayan Pangolin Causes Lung Infection without Severe Disease in Human ACE2-Transgenic Mice.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the most severe emerging infectious disease in the current century. The discovery of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoV-2) in bats and pangolins in South Asian countries indicates that SARS-CoV-2 likely originated from wildlife. To date, two SARSr-CoV-2 strains have been isolated from pangolins seized in Guangxi and Guangdong by the customs agency of China, respectively. However, it remains unclear whether these viruses cause disease in animal models and whether they pose a transmission risk to humans. In this study, we investigated the biological features of a SARSr-CoV-2 strain isolated from a smuggled Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) captured by the Guangxi customs agency, termed MpCoV-GX, in terms of receptor usage, cell tropism, and pathogenicity in wild-type BALB/c mice, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-transgenic mice, and human ACE2 knock-in mice. We found that MpCoV-GX can utilize ACE2 from humans, pangolins, civets, bats, pigs, and mice for cell entry and infect cell lines derived from humans, monkeys, bats, minks, and pigs. The virus could infect three mouse models but showed limited pathogenicity, with mild peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration observed in lungs. Our results suggest that this SARSr-CoV-2 virus from pangolins has the potential for interspecies infection, but its pathogenicity is mild in mice. Future surveillance among these wildlife hosts of SARSr-CoV-2 is needed to monitor variants that may have higher pathogenicity and higher spillover risk. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2, which likely spilled over from wildlife, is the third highly pathogenic human coronavirus. Being highly transmissible, it is perpetuating a pandemic and continuously posing a severe threat to global public health. Several SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoV-2) in bats and pangolins have been identified since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. It is therefore important to assess their potential of crossing species barriers for better understanding of their risk of future emergence. In this work, we investigated the biological features and pathogenicity of a SARSr-CoV-2 strain isolated from a smuggled Malayan pangolin, named MpCoV-GX. We found that MpCoV-GX can utilize ACE2 from 7 species for cell entry and infect cell lines derived from a variety of mammalian species. MpCoV-GX can infect mice expressing human ACE2 without causing severe disease. These findings suggest the potential of cross-species transmission of MpCoV-GX, and highlight the need of further surveillance of SARSr-CoV-2 in pangolins and other potential animal hosts.

Animals ethnozoology as traditional medicine in the Dayak Tamambaloh Tribe, Labian Ira'ang Village, Kapuas Hulu District, Indonesia

Abstract. Supiandi MI, Syafruddin D, Gandasari A, Mahanal S, Zubaidah S. 2023. Animals ethnozoology as traditional medicine in the Dayak Tamambaloh Tribe, Labian Ira'ang Village, Kapuas Hulu District, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 26-33. The Dayak Tamambaloh community in Labian Ira'ang Village, Kapuas Hulu District, Indonesia, is a community that has traditional knowledge of the use of fauna. However, at this time this knowledge has been reduced or relegated by the times and the use of animals and has never had a written document. This study aimed to obtain the types of animals used by the Dayak Tamambaloh people for treatment. The method used was a survey. Data was collected through literature studies, semi-structured interviews, and field observations. Data on using animals as traditional medicine was obtained from main informants, key informants, and recommendation informants. Data analysis was descriptive and qualitative, including data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and conclusions. The results obtained 13 types of animals in 13 families that are used as traditional medicine by the Tamambaloh Dayak people. The types of animals used in traditional medicine were wanyi (Apis cerana), asu (Canis lupus familiaris), kandalak (Channa striata), panang (Clarias sp.), bunsok (Gekko gecko), dingkawat (Hipposideros larvatus), lati loman (Lumbricus terrestris), tangkiling (Manis javanica), takiung (Sulcospira testudinaria), manuk (Gallus gallus domesticus), ular sawa (Malayopython reticulatus), lundung (Monopterus albus), and beruang (Ursus thibetanus). Animal families used as traditional medicine were Apidae (1 spesies), Canidae (1 spesies), Channidae (1 spesies), Clariidae (1 spesies), Gekkonidae (1 spesies), Hipposideridae (1 spesies), Lumbricidae (1 spesies), Manidae (1 spesies), Pachychilidae (1 spesies), Phasianidae (1 spesies), Pythonidae (1 spesies), Synbranchidae (1 spesies), and Ursidae (1 spesies). The Dayak Tamambaloh people use meat, bile, scales, shells, egg whites, wax, and all parts of animals for traditional medicine.

Discovery of novel papillomaviruses in the critically endangered Malayan and Chinese pangolins.

Pangolins are scaly and toothless mammals which are distributed across Africa and Asia. Currently, the Malayan, Chinese and Philippine pangolins are designated as critically endangered species. Although few pangolin viruses have been described, their viromes have received more attention following the discovery that they harbour sarbecoviruses related to SARS-CoV-2. Using large-scale genome mining, we discovered novel lineages of papillomaviruses infecting the Malayan and Chinese pangolins. We were able to assemble three complete circular papillomavirus genomes with an intact coding capacity and five additional L1 genes encoding the major capsid protein. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that seven out of eight L1 sequences formed a monophyletic group which is the sister lineage to the Tupaia belangeri papillomavirus 1, isolated from Yunnan province in China. Additionally, a single L1 sequence assembled from a Chinese pangolin was placed in a clade closer to Alphapapillomavirus and Omegapapillomavirus. Examination of the SRA data from 95 re-sequenced genomes revealed that 49.3% of Malayan pangolins and 50% of Chinese pangolins were positive for papillomavirus reads. Our results indicate that pangolins in South-East Asia are the hosts of diverse and highly prevalent papillomaviruses, and highlight the value of in silico mining of host sequencing data for the discovery of novel viruses.

Veterinary Medicine and the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International, Interdisciplinary Study of a GlobalWicked Problem

Building on field research in Costa Rica and Belize, this study analyzes environmental and endangered animal protection policies, rights, and practices in Central America, and assesses impacts of veterinary science and conservation biology on animal welfare concerns. Informed by the recent surge in awareness regarding the spread of zoonotic diseases, given COVID-19, the study analyzes Manis javanica and the impact of illegal trafficking of this critically endangered animal. The project theorizes if awareness of zoonotic disease transmission, especially during a global pandemic, could be key to reducing sales, legal or illegal, of wild animals in order to mitigate zoonotic infection spread. Given nearly sixty percent of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in nature, and seventy-one percent of those zoonotic diseases originate in wildlife, the project argues the current global pandemic could be instrumental in raising awareness of and encouraging policy development on reduction of illegal trafficking of critically endangered species.

High-Quality Genomes of Pangolins: Insights into the Molecular Basis of Scale Formation and Adaption to Myrmecophagous Diet.

Pangolins are one of nature's most fascinating species being scales covered and myrmecophagous diet, yet relatively little is known about the molecular basis. Here, we combine the multi-omics, evolution, and fundamental proteins feature analysis of both Chinese and Malayan pangolins, highlighting the molecular mechanism of both myrmecophagous diet and scale formation, representing a fascinating evolutionary strategy to occupy the unique ecological niches. In contrast to conserved organization of epidermal differentiation complex, pangolin has undergone large scale variation and gene loss events causing expression pattern and function conversion that contribute to cornified epithelium structures on stomach to adapt myrmecophagous diet. Our assemblies also enable us to discover large copies number of high glycine-tyrosine keratin-associated proteins (HGT-KRTAPs). In addition, highly homogenized tandem array, amino content, and the specific expression pattern further validate the strong connection between the molecular mechanism of scale hardness and HGT-KRTAPs.

Differences in gut microbes in captive pangolins and the effects of captive breeding.

Intestinal microorganisms are crucial for health and have a significant impact on biological processes, such as metabolism, immunity, and neural regulation. Although pangolin are protected animals in China and listed as critically endangered (CR) level by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the population of wild pangolins has decreased sharply in recent decades. Captive breeding has been adopted to protect pangolins, but the survival is low due to gastrointestinal infections, diarrhea, and parasitic infections. Studies on intestinal microbes in pangolins may reveal the relationship between intestinal microorganisms and health and assist protection. To explore the relationship between intestinal microorganisms and pangolin health, blood parameters and intestinal microorganisms of 10 pangolins (two Manis pentadactyla and eight Manis javanica) were studied at the Shenzhen Wildlife Rescue Center. There is difference among adult Sunda pangolins (M. javanica), adult Chinese pangolins (M. pentadactyla) and sub-adult Sunda pangolins (M. javanica) in intestinal microbial composition, diversity and phenotypic diversity, which suggested that adult Sunda pangolins occupied more diversity and proportion of microbial species to resist environmental pressure than the others. Due to the captive breeding serum cortisol of pangolins was increased, and the intestinal microbial structure changed, which may affect immunity. This study provides a scientific basis for the rescue of pangolins through artificial breeding.

PENERAPAN MOTIF TRENGGILING PADA KERIS DHAPUR BETOK PAMOR UDAN MAS

Traditional weapons, especially kris, have developed from their shape and character along with the times. In this final project, the writer makes a new keris, combining the pangolin motif on the kris with the chopping technique in the work. The Pangolin motif gives inspiration to the author, because it has a shape on the scales that is attractive and represents a symbol of self-protection. Pangolins are the only mammals that have scales to protect themselves from predators or predators in the wild. The pangolin motif is adapted to the design and will be applied to tosan aji's work in the form of a kris. The creation methods applied in the creation process are the exploration stage, the design stage, and the embodiment stage. Exploration includes observations, literature study and interviews. The design includes analysis and alternative sketches. The embodiment includes the application of the material that is in accordance with the selected sketch, which produces three kris, namely: Dhapur Trenggiling Sisik Waja, Dhapur Trenggiling Lingkaring Urip, Dhapur Manis Javanica. The creation of this final project rests on the application of the Pangolin motif to the kris using the tinatah technique. The Pangolin motif inspires the writer, because it has an interesting, unique character, and represents a symbol of self-protection. It is hoped that they will produce new kris creations without leaving the tradition that can build the meanings and help preserve works of art.

Nematode and Acanthocephalan Parasites of Confiscated Sunda pangolins, Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822 (Mammalia: Pholidota: Manidae), with an Updated List of the Parasites of Pangolins

Background: The Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822, is a critically endangered species of pangolin that occurs from Indonesia to southern China. Knowledge of the biology and ecology of M. javanica is limited, however there have been previous reports of parasites, including nematodes, protozoans, ticks, and a cestode. Methods: An illegal shipment of 88 M. javanica carcasses, originally collected from wild populations throughout southeast Asia, were intercepted by Hong Kong border authorities (AFCD) and confiscated in 2018. Results: During necropsy, two different types of parasites were collected from four infected pangolins. The parasites were identified as the nematode Gendrespirura cf. zschokkei (Meyer, 1896) Chabaud 1958, which were embedded in the stomach wall, and the acanthocephalan, Oligacanthorhynchidae sp., collected from the intestine. Morphological descriptions and molecular characterization for each parasite type is provided. Conclusions: In addition, an updated list of parasites from pangolins, incorporating current taxonomic identifications and publications is presented.