Nematode and Acanthocephalan parasites of confiscated Sunda pangolins, Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822 (Mammalia: Pholidota: Manidae), with an updated list of the parasites of pangolins

Diane P. Barton, Paolo Martelli, Brian M. Worthington, Tommy T.Y. Lam, Xiaocheng Zhu, Shokoofeh Shamsi

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Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1039
Number of pages18
JournalDiversity
Volume14
Issue number12
Early online date27 Nov 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

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