The Economic Times

In 1836, a pangolin from Nepal entered a London museum collection. 190 years later, scientists sequenced its preserved DNA and confirmed Manis aurita as a distinct species, giving conservationists a new tool against poaching

A nearly 190-year-old specimen has unveiled a new pangolin species in Nepal and India, marking a significant stride in the understanding of pangolin diversity and their distribution across regions. Researchers leveraged DNA from this ancient specimen to identify it as distinct from known species. Accurate identification plays a crucial role in fighting the troubling illegal trade of these mammals, establishing a scientific basis for enhancing their protection globally.