Scientists have confirmed that a little-known Himalayan pangolin is a separate species, ending a mystery that has lasted for nearly 190 years.
The discovery could help protect one of the world’s most heavily trafficked mammals from illegal poaching.
The international study, published in the journal Communications Biology, found that the Himalayan pangolin should officially be recognized as Manis aurita, rather than being grouped with the Chinese pangolin.
Pangolins are unusual mammals found only in Asia and Africa. They are covered with hard scales made of keratin, the same material found in human fingernails.
These scales protect them from predators, but they have also made pangolins a target for illegal wildlife trade.
Pangolins are considered the world’s most trafficked mammals because their scales are highly valued in some traditional medicine practices, even though there is no strong scientific evidence that the scales have medical benefits.
For many years, scientists believed that pangolins living in China and those living in the Himalayan region belonged to the same species. However, researchers noticed small differences in their appearance and DNA, suggesting they might actually be separate species.
To solve the mystery, scientists compared modern DNA samples with DNA taken from a museum specimen collected in Nepal in 1836. The nearly 190-year-old specimen is stored at the Natural History Museum. Despite its age, researchers successfully extracted and analyzed its DNA.
The results were clear. The historic specimen matched the Himalayan animals being studied today. This confirmed that the correct scientific name for the Himalayan species is Manis aurita, a name first given in 1836.
Because scientific naming rules give priority to the earliest valid name, a newer name proposed in 2025 is no longer used.
Although the Himalayan pangolin looks similar to the Chinese pangolin, it has several important differences. It is generally larger, has a longer tail and smaller ears. In fact, the name “aurita” refers to its distinctive ears.
The two species also live in different places. The Himalayan pangolin is found in parts of Nepal, northern India, Bhutan and Myanmar, while the Chinese pangolin lives mainly in China. Knowing exactly where each species lives is important for conservation because it helps scientists protect the right animals in the right places.
The discovery also has practical benefits in the fight against wildlife crime. In illegal markets, authorities usually find only pangolin scales rather than whole animals. With the new DNA information, scientists can identify which species the scales came from and trace where poaching is happening. This can help wildlife officials focus their efforts on areas where endangered pangolins are under the greatest threat.
The research also helps conservation programs avoid releasing the wrong species into the wild. In the past, scientists might have unknowingly introduced Chinese pangolins into areas where only the Himalayan species naturally lives.
The researchers say this discovery highlights the value of museum collections. Specimens collected more than a century ago can still answer important scientific questions today.
By combining historical specimens with modern DNA technology, scientists are gaining new knowledge that can improve conservation and give endangered animals like the Himalayan pangolin a better chance of survival.
