Whole-genome resequencing of Chinese pangolins reveals a population structure and provides insights into their conservation

Poaching and trafficking have a substantial negative impact on the population growth and range expansion of the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). However, recently reported activities of Chinese pangolins in several sites of Guangdong province in China indicate a promising sign for the recovery of this threatened species. Here, we re-sequence genomes of 15 individuals and perform comprehensive population genomics analyses with previously published 22 individuals. These Chinese pangolins are found to be divided into three distinct populations. Multiple lines of evidence indicate the existence of a newly discovered population (CPA) comprises entirely of individuals from Guangdong province. The other two populations (CPB and CPC) have previously been documented. The genetic differentiation of the CPA and CPC is extremely large (F