Pangolins : science, society and conservation

This chapter provides an authoritative account of the phylogeny and taxonomy of fossil and extant pangolins. Historical discrepancies around the taxonomy of pangolins are discussed, notably in terms of infraordinal classification, while the respective merits of morphological and molecular analyses to solve the phylogenetic relationships among pangolins are addressed. Additionally, the contribution of DNA-based phylogeographic analyses in revealing cryptic diversity within wide-ranging species is reviewed, and a biogeographic scenario for the diversification of extant pangolins is proposed. Finally, the chapter presents an updated, synthetic classification of extant pangolins

Holocene and Late Pleistocene Bat Fossils (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Hamilton County, TN, and their Ecological Implications

Chiropteran mandibles from late Pleistocene/Holocene fossil cave localities in Hamilton County were identified in order to examine changes in bat species diversity and population trends over extended periods of time, providing insight into how bats in Southeast Tennessee have responded to major environmental changes over the past 10,000–20,000 years. Generic and species identifications were based on an unpublished key developed by the authors. Measurements of alveolar length (c1–m3) and total length measurements from the symphysis to the condyle were taken for all specimens identified as members of the genus Myotis in an attempt to identify species in this genus. The results of this study failed to confirm those of previous univariate morphological studies, suggesting that multivariate morphometric analyses may be needed to establish a means to differentiate among the species in this genus. Diversity data indicated two patterns of species abundance, with Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat) dominating some sites and Myotis sp. dominating others. The data suggest, but do not conclusively demonstrate, that a temporal replacement of older Eptesicus faunas by younger, Myotis-dominated faunas has occurred, connected with post-Pleistocene global warming. In addition, a correspondence between human disturbance and bat populations levels was observed. It is very likely that human disturbance has caused bat populations to become extinct in the caves under study, reinforcing the claim of previous researchers that bat population decline is a recent phenomenon that is tightly linksed to human disturbance

Pangolins : science, society and conservation

Pangolins'evolutionary history is poorly known, with historically uncertain relationships to other placental mammals, and weak representation in the fossil record. Their closest relatives are extinct Palaeanodonta and extant Carnivora. The oldest fossil pangolins come from the European Eocene, with early records confined to Laurasia, and a modern range established in the Plio-Pleistocene. Extant pangolins are characterized by many distinctive anatomical features, including an external armor of epidermal scales, along with traits associated with myrmecophagous, fossorial, and arboreal habits. Their skull is edentulous and narrow. The postcranial skeleton is marked by powerful digging claws and forelimbs, and a prehensile tail in some forms. The tongue is attached to an elongated xiphisternum. Food is masticated in a stomach containing horny denticles. Females have axillary nipples and a bicornuate uterus; males lack a scrotum. The vascular system includes several retia mirabilia, and the carnivoran-like brain has a low encephalization quotient