科学家通过对一具近190年历史的博物馆标本进行DNA分析，确认了此前未被识别的亚洲穿山甲物种喜马拉雅穿山甲（Manis aurita）分布于尼泊尔和印度北部1。这项由伦敦自然历史博物馆、菲尔德博物馆、广州大学、尼泊尔工程学院和广东省林业科学院等机构参与的研究成果，于2026年8月26日发表于《通讯生物学》1。伦敦自然历史博物馆团队成功对一具1836年的历史模式标本进行了DNA测序1。
在物种命名方面，2025年另一研究团队曾将喜马拉雅穿山甲命名为Manis indoburmanica，但根据命名优先规则，1836年命名的Manis aurita为有效学名1。在形态特征上，与中国穿山甲相比，喜马拉雅穿山甲体型更大、尾巴更长、耳朵更小1。
这一发现厘清了穿山甲物种间的分类关系，并为打击非法盗猎和追踪走私穿山甲鳞片提供了新的科学工具1。该DNA方法可用于分析查获的穿山甲鳞片，确定其物种来源和盗猎地区1。
Scientists have confirmed the existence of a previously unrecognized Asian pangolin species, the Himalayan pangolin named Manis aurita, which inhabits Nepal and northern India, through DNA analysis of a nearly 190-year-old museum specimen 1. The research, published in Communications Biology on August 26, 2026, was conducted by a collaborative team involving the Natural History Museum in London, the Field Museum, Guangzhou University, the Nepal Engineering College, and the Guangdong Academy of Forestry 1.
A team from the Natural History Museum in London successfully sequenced the DNA of a historical type specimen dating back to 1836 1. Although another research group previously named the Himalayan pangolin Manis indoburmanica in 2025, Manis aurita is recognized as the valid scientific name due to the principle of priority, as it was originally named in 1836 1. Morphologically, the Himalayan pangolin is distinguished from the Chinese pangolin by its larger body size, longer tail, and smaller ears 1.
This DNA methodology provides a crucial new scientific tool to combat illegal poaching and track smuggled pangolin scales 1. The technique can be applied to analyze seized pangolin scales, enabling authorities to accurately determine their species origin and the specific regions where poaching occurred 1.
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