Record of the world’s biggest pangolin? New observations of bodyweight and total body length of the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata Gray, 1827 (Mammalia: Pholidota: Manidae) from Mannar District, Sri Lanka

Main Article Content

Priyan Perera
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9452-4790
Hirusha Randimal Algewatta
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5099-8126
Buddhika Vidanage

Abstract

The Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata is one of the eight extant pangolin species in the world, occurring in the Indian subcontinent and is the solitary pangolin species recorded in Sri Lanka.  Little is known about the intra-specific morphometric variations of the Indian Pangolin, largely due to the limited observations. In this note, we report the morphometrics of the largest Indian Pangolin recorded so far in its range, and consequently the largest pangolin ever to be recorded according to published information.  These records along with observations from other range countries provide novel insights into the maximum growth of male Indian Pangolins.  

Article Details

Section
Notes
Author Biographies

Priyan Perera, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.

Senior Lecturer and a member of the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group

Buddhika Vidanage, Department of Wildlife Conservation, 811A, Jayanthipura, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.

Range Officer and Park Warden, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka 

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