New DNA Reveals Hidden Himalayan Pangolin

DNA recovered from a museum specimen collected in 1836 has confirmed that a previously unrecognized Himalayan pangolin species, Manis aurita, has been living in Nepal and northern India for centuries. The finding, published by the Field Museum, offers a new tool for tracking illegally traded pangolin scales back to the species and the regions most affected by poaching.

Uncovering a Long-Lost Species

The study, appearing in Communications Biology, shows that the Himalayan pangolin differs from the Chinese pangolin in body size, tail length and ear size. Manis aurita has a larger body, a longer tail and smaller ears, and its name refers to the distinctive ears. The species’ range does not overlap with that of the Chinese pangolin, making geographic separation clear.

The research team, which includes Anderson Feijó of the Field Museum and Narayan Koju of Nepal Engineering College, began investigating the species more than five years ago. They first documented evidence suggesting that Himalayan pangolins represented a distinct evolutionary lineage while working in Nepal. The confirmation of M. aurita as a valid species provides a strong scientific basis for conservation planning, wildlife forensics and efforts to protect one of the world’s most trafficked mammals from extinction.

Rebuilding the Pangolin Family Tree

In 2025, another research team split the previously lumped Chinese pangolin into two species: one mainly in China and the other in the Himalayan foothills. They named the mountain-dwelling form Manis indoburmanica. However, the earliest valid name for the Himalayan form was Manis aurita, described in 1836. The Field Museum’s team sequenced DNA directly from the 1836 type specimen, the only historical sample that could resolve the taxonomic riddle. Modern Himalayan pangolin samples matched aurita, proving that M. indoburmanica and M. aurita are the same species.

The study’s authors emphasize that the taxonomic clarification is crucial for combating illegal poaching. By knowing exactly which species is being hunted and where it lives, authorities can target anti-trafficking efforts more effectively.

Implications for Anti-Trafficking Efforts

Pangolin scales are highly sought after for traditional Chinese medicine, driving a large illegal trade. Because authorities often encounter only scales, it is difficult to determine the species and origin of the seized material. The DNA methods developed in this research could allow conservation scientists to analyze confiscated scales, identify the pangolin species and trace the scales back to the populations under threat.

This capability would let law-enforcement agencies work backward from illegally traded material to the specific regions where poaching pressure is greatest. It also improves the design of reintroduction programs, ensuring that the correct species are released into their native ranges. As Feijó notes, “By defining the differences between the species and the limits of where each species is found, we can make better conservation decisions.”

The Role of Museum Collections

The researchers credit natural history museums with making the discovery possible. Museum collections preserve specimens collected more than a century ago, giving scientists access to animals from locations that are now difficult to sample. Using these collections allowed the team to sample a broader range of individuals across the species’ distribution.

For more on pangolin conservation stats, see the stats database. The research team, listed in the study’s author list, can be viewed in the squad section.

The study was published in Communications Biology in 2026; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-10314-9.