dcsimg

Untitled

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Philippine pangolins were until very recently considered to be a subspecies of Manis javanicus. It was only in 1998 that the taxonomic discussion of Manis culionensis began in earnest, and its classification as a separate species gained serious acceptance as a result of a study by Gaubert et. al. in 2005. As a result, there has been very little field research conducted on Philippine pangolins. Indeed, only 9 specimens, all of them from museum collections, were used by Gaubert in his definitive study. Because of their reclusive, nocturnal, and arboreal behavior, as well as the recent acceptance of their classification as a discrete species, little information is currently available regarding Philippine pangolins.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Behavior

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Philippine pangolins use their sense of smell to locate termite mounds and other insect colonies on which they feed. Although the mechanisms of attracting mates are unknown, their highly developed olfactory glands likely contribute to the process. They can also emit a noxious chemical to repel predators.

Communication Channels: chemical

Other Communication Modes: pheromones

Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Hunting and habitat destruction are the chief causes of population decline of Philippine pangolins. Deforestation in the Philippine islands has led to a smaller range, especially in the lowland forests. However, assessing the true population size of Philippine pangolins is difficult given their nocturnal and solitary nature. Philippine pangolins, like many Asian pangolins, are hunted for their meat. Their skin and scales are used as a treatment for asthma and as a reagent in traditional East Asian medicine. This species is protected in the province of Palawan, and government agencies across Asia are enforcing restriction of the trade of pangolin and their scales. Philippine pangolins are listed as near threatened by the IUCN and in Appendix II by CITES.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: appendix ii

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: near threatened

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

There are no known adverse effects of Philippine pangolins on humans.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The meat of pangolins is prized as a delicacy in Asia, particularly in China. The scales of Philippine pangolins are used as a reagent in traditional East Asian medicine and have been used to treat asthma. Many individuals in the Philippines trap and sell pangolins, and the demand for pangolin meat and scales is increasing.

Positive Impacts: food ; body parts are source of valuable material; source of medicine or drug

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Philippine pangolins prey on ants and termites and are preyed upon by pythons and humans. They may help control populations of insects.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Trophic Strategy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Philippine pangolins, like all pangolins are insectivorous, feeding solely on ants and termites. Their anatomy is highly specialized for this task: their large front claws help with breaking open termite mounds and anthills, and their extremely long tongues, which are not anchored to the hyoid bone, are coated with an adhesive saliva by glands in the abdomen. These traits, which are convergent with similar features in anteaters, make them adept insectivores. However, they lack teeth and the ability to chew.

Animal Foods: insects

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Distribution

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Philippine pangolins, Manis culionensis, are endemic to four Phillippine islands: Palawan, Busuanga, Culion, and Calauit. They have also been introduced to the island of Apulit.

Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Introduced , Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Habitat

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Philippine pangolins are found in lowland forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and mosaics thereof. Habitat destruction has also forced them into more developed areas. Because of the solitary, reclusive nature of pangolins as well as limited research on this species, little is known about the preferred habitat of Philippine pangolins.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; scrub forest

Other Habitat Features: agricultural

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Life Expectancy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Because Philippine pangolins are not kept in captivity and little research has been performed on wild individuals of this species, little is known regarding their longevity. Some species of pangolins can live up to 20 years.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Morphology

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Philippine pangolins, like all pangolins, are arboreal and terrestrial quadrupeds. Resembling armored anteaters, they have an elongated snout, a round body, and a long, prehensile tail. Their body is covered with pointed, overlapping scales that are dark in color and made of keratin. However, their nose, eyes, and underbelly are not armored in this way. They also possess large, sharp claws on their forelimbs and a long, thin tongue coated with adhesive saliva. Infant pangolins have scales that are soft and light in color that harden as they mature. Philippine pangolins on average weigh 1.8 to 2.4 kg and measure 58 to 176 cm in length.

Philippine pangolins are similar in appearance to other Javanese pangolins, but they can be distinguished in the field. Philippine pangolins have 19 to 21 lateral scale rows on their back, which are generally smaller in size than those of Javanese pangolins. The tail of Philippine pangolins is almost equal in length to the combined length of its head and body, whereas the tail of Javanese pangolins is generally two thirds to three fourths the length of its combined head and body length. The palatine bone of Philippine pangolins is relatively small and weak, and they have a shorter zygomatic process. The nuchal scale pattern is also different in these species; nuchal scales are centered along the neck of Philippine pangolins and are off to one side on Javanese pangolins.

Range mass: 1.8 to 2.4 kg.

Range length: 58 to 176 cm.

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The keratinous scales of Philippine pangolins protect them from harm. When threatened, pangolins roll into a ball, exposing only their armored surfaces and the sharp points of their scales. They can also emit a noxious chemical to repel predators. Their only known natural predator are Asiatic reticulated pythons. They are also hunted by humans.

Known Predators:

  • Asiatic reticulated python, Python reticulatus
  • humans Homo sapiens

Anti-predator Adaptations: aposematic

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Reproduction

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Little is known regarding the mating behaviors of Philippine pangolins. Most pangolins mate seasonally. Although it is not known how Philippine pangolins attract a mate, their highly developed olfactory glands likely play a part in mating.

Little information is available regarding the reproductive cycle of Philippine pangolins. Most pangolins breed in the spring and have an average gestation of 120 days. Most pangolin species wean their young at around 4 months, and individuals are independent at around 5 months. Pangolins, on average, have 1 to 3 offspring each season.

Breeding interval: Philippine pangolins breed annually.

Breeding season: Mating usually occurs in the spring.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 3.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average gestation period: 18 weeks.

Average weaning age: 4 months.

Average time to independence: 5 months.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual

Like most arboreal pangolins, Philippine pangolins carry their offspring on their tail and can roll into a ball with its infant in the center if threatened. As with all mammals, young pangolins nurse from their mothers until they are weaned.

Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care ; pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Helmsworth, A. 2011. "Manis culionensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Manis_culionensis.html
author
Andrew Helmsworth, University of Oregon
editor
Stephen Frost, University of Oregon
editor
Gail McCormick, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Philippine pangolin

provided by wikipedia EN

Philippine Pangolin on a stamp
Philippine pangolin on a 2015 stamp of the Philippines

The Philippine pangolin or Palawan pangolin (Manis culionensis), also locally known as balintong, is a pangolin species endemic to the Palawan province of the Philippines. Its habitat includes primary and secondary forests, as well as surrounding grasslands. This species is moderately common within its limited range, but is at risk due to heavy hunting because of its valued scales and meat.[3] This species is distinguished from the closely related Sunda pangolin by its smaller body-to-tail ratio, smaller scales, and a shorter head. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and Critically Endangered by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD).[4]

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Casto de Elera in 1885; it was also mentioned by de Elera in an 1895 work.[5][6] In the past, this species has been included with the Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica, but has been considered a distinct species since 1998.[7] Five distinct morphological characteristics involving the skull and the scales have been identified which separate it from the closely related M. javanica. Both M. javanica and M. culionensis are grouped in subgenus Paramanis.[8] Genetic isolation leading to the speciation between these species is hypothesized to have been caused by rising sea levels severing a land bridge from Borneo in the Early Pleistocene.[9]

The generic name Manis is from the Greek chthonic deity Manes, while the specific name culionensis refers to the island of Culion in Palawan.[10]

The local name balintong (also halintong or malintong) means "one who rolls over" or "one who somersaults" in the Visayan Cuyonon language. Other names in Cuyonon include balekon or balikon and goling, with the same meaning. In the Palawan language, it is also known as tanggiling (also spelled tangiling), also with the same meaning.[11]

Description

The Philippine pangolin is roughly 30 to 90 centimetres (12 to 35 in) long, plus a 26 to 88 centimetres (10 to 35 in) tail. It weighs 2 to 77 lb (0.91 to 34.93 kg).[12] Philippine pangolins in captivity can live up to approximately 20 years.[13] It is covered in small triangular scales made of keratin everywhere except the underbelly and face, making up at least 20% of the body weight.[12][14][13] It regrows new scales when they are lost and always has the same number of scales throughout their lifespan. The scales come in shades of brown, yellow and olive, making for adequate camouflage at night.[12] Newer offspring have much softer scales than adults and tend to weight about 90–500 grams (3.2–17.6 oz).[12][13] Areas of the body without scales are covered in a layer of hair.[12]

The Philippine pangolin has five sharp claws per foot and powerful appendages used for digging. However, these claws are not used as weapons for attacking or defending other animals. Pangolins can also run solely on their hind legs for a duration, using their tail for balance.[12] Its tail is prehensile, allowing it to grab onto branches or stand on its hind legs, despite being covered in scales.[13] The tail also aids the species with climbing and standing upright or to be used as a weapon to puncture enemies using its sharp scales.[12]

The Philippine pangolin's tongue can stretch up to 25 cm (10 inches) long and is coated in an adhesive saliva that is helpful for catching insects.[13] Its head is cone shaped with a long snout and no teeth.[14][13]

Diet

The Philippine pangolin is a myrmecophage, so has a diet consisting mainly of but not limited to termites and ants. It has in incredible sense of smell that it uses to find its food. The Philippine pangolin is seem to have strong preferences when it comes to the insects they eat, selectively consuming a certain species of ant or termite they like, or even actively avoiding certain species when there is enough of a food abundance to be picky.[12] Its forefeet are used to dig into mounds and logs while its tongue harvests insects.[14][13] The pangolin will only ever eat a portion of a termite or ant colony, leaving most of the mound/hill intact for the colony to regrow and act as a continuous food source for the pangolin later down the line.[12] It consumes sand and small stones to help grind food in their stomachs.[15]

Behavior

A Philippine Pangolin rolled in a ball, defending itself with its scales
Philippine Pangolins by Gregg Yan
A Philippine Pangolin pup nudges its mother, rolled up into a protective ball.

The Philippine pangolin is nocturnal and reclusive, tending towards being solitary or in pairs.[13] Because they are mainly active at night, their eyesight is below average.[12] While their hearing is still only about average, they make up for their lack of vision with their extraordinary sense of smell.[12] It generally travels slowly, but can move in a short burst towards safety when it becomes startled, and even has a limited ability to swim.[12][13] Occasionally, it can be seen standing on its hind legs, balancing on its tail, to help detect nearby predators.[12]

While some of their time is spent on the ground foraging, Philippine pangolins are arboreal, and tend to stay in the tree canopy.[14][13] When sleeping, they prefer to take refuge inside hollow trees.[12] When threatened, they, like all pangolins, secrete a foul odor and roll into a ball, relying on the protection provided by their scales.[14][13] Many even sleep rolled up into a ball to protect themselves while they are unaware.> They are not known for being territorial animals, but they may be seen leaving their scent to let others know they've taken refuge there for a while.[12]

Reproduction

While little is known about the reproduction of Philippine pangolins, their mating habits are thought to be similar to those of the Sunda pangolin. Like most pangolins, Philippine pangolins mate in the spring. The same odorous secretion used as a self-defense mechanism is also used in mating habits. The secretion is used by males to assert against other males, attract a mate, and are used by the mother while nurturing their young.[12]

The young are born after a gestation period around 18 weeks and are suckled by their mothers about four months.[16] Usually only one offspring is born at once, and they are carried around on the mothers back for a time.[13] When sleeping or threatened, the mother tends to roll in a ball for defense like usual, but with the young cradled in a ball of their own, encompassed in the mother's ball. At the age of about 5 months, young will separate from their mother. Female pangolins even adopt lone young that have lost their own mother.[12]

Hunting and conservation

The Philippine pangolin, much like every other species of pangolin, is considered threatened due to how sought after they are to hunters. Other than the meat, which is a delicacy in certain Asian cultures, the Philippine Pangolin is hunted for their scales, organs, and skin, which are used in traditional medicine.[14][13] In 2016, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listed the animal as protected under Appendix I (meaning commercial international trade was prohibited) due to how much international trade influenced pangolin hunting.[13] The Zoological Society of London has listed the mammal as an EDGE species.[17]

References

  1. ^ Schoppe, S.; Katsis, L.; Lagrada, L. (2019). "Manis culionensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T136497A123586862. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T136497A123586862.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ Manis culionensis Archived 2009-03-18 at the Wayback Machine in A synopsis of the mammilian fauna of the Philippine Islands. The Field Museum.
  4. ^ "Philippine Pangolin". Pangolinsg.org. Retrieved on 2016-06-22.
  5. ^ Schlitter, D.A. (2005). "Order Pholidota". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 530. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  6. ^ Catálogo sistemático de toda la fauna de Filipinas: conocida hasta el presente, y á la vez el de la colección zoológica del Museo de PP. Dominicos del Colegio-universidad de Sto. Tomás de Manila, escrito con motivo de la Exposición Regional Filipina Imprenta del Colegio de Santo Tomás, 1895
  7. ^ ITIS Standard Report for ''Manis culionensis'' Taxonomic Serial No.: 727709. Itis.gov. Retrieved on 2016-06-22.
  8. ^ Paramanis in Wilson and Reeder's Mammal Species of the world: 3rd Edition
  9. ^ Gaubert, Philippe; Antunes, Agostinho (2005). "Assessing the Taxonomic Status of the Palawan Pangolin Manis Culionensis (Pholidota) Using Discrete Morphological Characters". Journal of Mammalogy. 86 (6): 1068. doi:10.1644/1545-1542(2005)86[1068:ATTSOT]2.0.CO;2.
  10. ^ Schoppe, Sabine; Katsis, Lydia K.D.; Alvarado, Dexter; Acosta-Lagrada, Levita (2019). "Philippine pangolin Manis culionensis (de Elera, 1915)". In Challender, Daniel W.S.; Nash, Helen C.; Waterman, Carly (eds.). Pangolins: Science, Society and Conservation. Academic Press. ISBN 9780128155066.
  11. ^ Vergara, Benito S.; Idowu, Panna Melizah H.; Sumangil, Julia H.; Gonzales, Juan Carlos; Dans, Andres. Interesting Philippine Animals. Island Publishing House, Inc. ISBN 9718538550.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Pholidota (Pangolins) | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "pangolin | Description, Habitat, Diet, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "pangolin". InfoPlease. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  15. ^ Philippine Pangolin. The Animal Files. Retrieved on 2016-06-22.
  16. ^ Helmsworth, A. (2011). Manis culionensis. Animal Diversity Web.
  17. ^ "Philippine Pangolin".

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Philippine pangolin: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN
Philippine Pangolin on a stamp Philippine pangolin on a 2015 stamp of the Philippines

The Philippine pangolin or Palawan pangolin (Manis culionensis), also locally known as balintong, is a pangolin species endemic to the Palawan province of the Philippines. Its habitat includes primary and secondary forests, as well as surrounding grasslands. This species is moderately common within its limited range, but is at risk due to heavy hunting because of its valued scales and meat. This species is distinguished from the closely related Sunda pangolin by its smaller body-to-tail ratio, smaller scales, and a shorter head. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and Critically Endangered by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD).

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN