Isolation and characterization of 30 STRs in Temminck’s ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) and potential for cross amplification in other African species

Temminck’s ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) is one of four species of pangolin, endemic to Africa. Two of the African pangolin species are listed as vulnerable and two are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species due to their ongoing exploitation for traditional medicine and bushmeat. In this study, we developed 30 species-specific short-tandem repeats (STRs) in Temminck’s ground pangolin using next-generation sequencing. The markers were also optimized for crossamplification in other African species. All the markers amplified successfully in Temminck’s ground pangolin with allelic polymorphisms observed in 87% of the markers in giant pangolin (S. gigantea) whereas 60% of the markers were amplified polymorphic loci in both whitebellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) and black-bellied pangolin (P. tetradactyla). Analysis of diversity estimates showed moderate levels of variability in Temminck’s ground pangolin (Na = 5; Ho = 0.559), giant pangolin (Na = 4.909; Ho = 0.514) and white-bellied pangolin (Na = 2.686; Ho = 0.541) with lower values being observed in black-bellied pangolin (Na = 3; Ho = 0.242). This study provides data of the first available STR markers which was amplified in all four African pangolin species that can now be used in conservation genetic and evolutionary aspects of population histories.

Study on synergistic mechanism of pangolin in high temperature sand-fried processing / 中草药

Objective Traditional raw pangolin products are not used as medicine, which can only be used as medicine after processing. Therefore, the processing mechanism of high temperature sand-fried pangolin was studied. Methods The changes of liposolubility and protein composition of pangolin before and after processing were analyzed by TLC and Nano LC-Q Exactive Orbitrap MS. Meanwhile, the simulation processing of cyclic dipeptides, which were significantly increased during processing, was performed. The activity of L-serine-L-tyrosine cyclic dipeptide was screened. Results The results showed that there was no significant change in fat-soluble components, significant decrease in polypeptides and significant increase in cyclic dipeptides after the sand-fried processing of pangolin. The formation of cyclic dipeptides was mainly related to the heating of the processing. At low temperature, the N-terminal of the linear peptide could be cycled to form L-shaped cyclic dipeptides. At high temperature, the N-terminal and C-terminal of the linear peptide could be rapidly cycled to form cyclic dipeptides. L-serine-L-tyrosine cyclic dipeptide could prolong coagulation time and increase the proliferation rate of mammary epithelial cells and the expression of genes related to milk protein synthesis in dairy cows. It also had significant analgesic activity, which was consistent with the traditional efficacy of pangolin. Conclusion These results suggested that large amounts of L-serine-L-tyrosine cyclic dipeptide produced by the processing of pangolin may be one of the material bases for enhancing the processing efficiency of pangolin. It was of great significance for revealing the material basis of pharmacodynamics of pangolin, searching for alternative resources and protecting pangolin.

Experience Identification of Pangolin Scales and Poor Armadillo Scales / 中国药师

Objective:To distinguish Pangolin scales from its adulterants to prevent the use of poor Armadillo scales. Methods:The properties of characters, color, size and so on between Pangolin scales and Armadillo scales were compared. Results:The length and width of genuine Pangolin scales was within the range of 0. 75-5. 50 cm, the color was golden yellow or yellowish brown, the tex-ture was crisp with easily broken property, and the thickness of section was 0. 2-0. 4 cm. The length and width of poor Armadillo scales was 6-10 cm, which was 3-5 times of that of Pangolin scales, the color was yellowish brown or brown, the texture was not crisp with easily broken property, and the thickness of section was 0. 6-1 cm. Conclusion:The above characteristics can be used to discern Ar-madillo scales.

A comparative histological study of the tongue of rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) / Estudio histológico comparativo de la lengua de rata (Rattus norvegicus), murciélago (Eidolon helvum) y pangolín (Manis tricuspis)

This study assessed the micro anatomical differences in the tongue of rat, bat and pangolin with a view to establishing the functional anatomical differences of these mammalian tongues on their dietary pattern. Ten rats, ten bats and ten pangolins were used for this study. The animals were sacrificed and the tongue excised and processed for light microscopical study adopting the following stains: Haematoxylin Eosin, Verhoeff Gieson and Masson trichrome. The results showed non papillation of the keratinized stratified epithelium of pangolin tongue unlike the papillation seen in the tongue of the rat and bat. While the filiform papillation seen in the rat was bristle like, the filiform papillae in the bat were crown-like. There was also an unusual dense collagenous ring in the proximal portion of the pangolin tongue which was absent in other mammals. There were taste buds along the lateral walls of the vallate papillae in the distal portion of the tongue of rats and bats but none was found in the pangolins. In conclusion, the morphology of the tongues of these mammals showed a relationship between their feeding pattern and the adaptive changes in the microanatomy of their tongue.

Se evaluó los aspectos micro-anatómicos de la lengua de la rata, murciélago y pangolín, con miras a establecer las diferencias funcionales anatómicas de las lenguas de estos mamíferos en su patrón alimentario. Diez ejemplares de cada animal se utilizaron para este estudio. Los animales fueron sacrificados y las lenguas fueron extirpadas y procesadas para el estudio microscópico de luz, usándose las tinciones: Hematoxilina Eosina, Verhoeff Gieson y tricrómico de Masson. Los resultados mostraron la no papilación del epitelio estratificado queratinizado de la lengua de pangolines a diferencia de la papilación vista en la lengua de la rata y del murciélago. Por otro lado, las papilas filiformes vistas en la rata se presentaban como puntas, siendo como coronas en el murciélago. También hubo un inusual anillo de colágeno denso en la porción proximal de la lengua de pangolines, estando ausente en los otros mamíferos. Se observaron botones gustativos a lo largo de las paredes laterales de las papilas caliciformes en la porción distal de la lengua de las ratas y los murciélagos, pero ninguno fue encontrado en la de los pangolines. En conclusión, la morfología de las lenguas de estos mamíferos mostró una relación entre su patrón de alimentación y los cambios de adaptación en la anatomía microscópica de la lengua.

A Comparative Histomorphometric Study of the Stomach of Rat (Rattus norvegicus), Bat (Eidolon helvum) and Pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in Relation to Diet / Estudio Comparativo Histomorfométrico del Estómago de Rata (Rattus norvegicus), Murciélago (Eidolon helvum) y Pangolin (Manis tricuspis) en Relación con la Dieta

This study verified the comparative histomorphometric adaptations in the stomach of rat, bat and pangolin in relation to diet. Ten rats, ten bats and ten pangolins of both sexes were used for this investigation. The animals were sacrificed after slight anesthesia under chloroform inhalation. The stomach were excised, fixed in 10 percent formol saline and processed for light microscopic study. Stained slides were also subjected to morphometric analysis at a magnification of 400x. The results revealed that the cellular diameter/ density of parietal and zymogenic cells are significantly different in the three mammals (p<0.05) with the exception of the diameter of the zymogenic cells in pangolin which was not statistically significant (p>0.05) when compared with that of rat. Also, histological analysis revealed slight differences in the pattern of organization and distribution of connective tissue fibers. All these observations were reflections of the different pattern the stomachs of the three mammals have adopted to cope with their respective diets.

En este estudio se verificaron las adaptaciones histomorfométricas comparativas en el estómago de ratas, murciélagos y pangolines en relación a la dieta. Se utilizaron para esta investigación 10 ejemplares de cada especie, de ambos sexos. Los animales fueron sacrificados después de anestesia bajo inhalación de cloroformo. Los estómagos fueron extirpados, fijados en formol al 10 por ciento de solución salina y procesados para su estudio microscópico de luz. Los cortes teñidos fueron también objeto de análisis morfométrico con un aumento de X 400. Los resultados revelaron que el diámetro/densidad celular de parietal y las células cimógenas son significativamente diferentes en los tres mamíferos (p <0,05), con la excepción del diámetro de la células cimógenas de pangolines que no era estadísticamente significativa (p> 0,05) en comparación con la de rata. Por otra parte, el análisis histológico reveló ligeras diferencias en las características de organización y distribución de las fibras del tejido conjuntivo. Todas estas observaciones son un reflejo del patrón de los diferentes estómagos de los tres mamíferos, que han adoptado para hacer frente a sus respectivas dietas.

A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), Bat (Eidolon helvum) and Pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method / Estudio comparativo del íleon en rata (Rattus norvegicus), murciélago (Eidolon helvum) y pangolín (Manis tricuspis) utilizando como investigación el método histológico

The histological and morphometric differences in some parts of the gastrointestinal tracts of rat, bat and pangolin have been well established. This investigation aims at comparatively elucidating any adaptational changes the ileum of the three mammals must have adopted to meet its dietary requirements and also cope with their morphological differences. The investigation was carried out using ten rats, ten bats and ten pangolins of both sexes. The animals were slightly anaesthetized under chloroform inhalation. The intestines were harvested and the ileum excised and fixed in 10 percent formol saline. The tissues were processed for light microscopic study. The following stains were employed: Haematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Van Gieson and Verhoeff's haematoxylin elastic tissue stain. Stained slides were also analysed morphometrically. The results revealed microstructural modifications which characterized the mucosa as well as the pattern of distribution of the conjuntive tissue fibers in the ileum of the three mammals. These modifications are means of successfully coping with their respective diets and morphological differences.

Las diferencias histológicas y morfométricas en algunas partes del tubo digestivo de ratas, murciélagos y pangolines han sido bien establecidos. Esta investigación tiene por objeto aclarar comparativamente cualquier cambio de adaptación del íleon de los tres mamíferos que hayan adoptado para satisfacer sus necesidades dietéticas y también hacer frente a sus diferencias morfológicas. La investigación se llevó a cabo usando 10 ratas, 10 murciélagos y 10 pangolines, de ambos sexos. Los animales fueron ligeramente anestesiados bajo inhalación de cloroformo. Los intestinos fueron expuestos, el íleon extirpado y fijado en formol salino al 10 por ciento. Los tejidos fueron procesados para su estudio por microscopía de luz. Los siguientes tinciones fueron empleadas: Hematoxilina y eosina (H & E), Van Gieson y tinción de hematoxilina para tejidos elásticos de Verhoeff. Los cortes teñidos también se analizaron morfométricamente. Los resultados revelaron modificaciones microestructurales características de la mucosa, así como el patrón de distribución de las fibras de tejido conjuntivo en el íleon de los tres mamíferos. Estas modificaciones son el medio para entender sus diferencias en la dieta y morfología respectivamente.