研究团队通过分析伦敦自然历史博物馆收藏的一份1836年穿山甲标本的DNA，确认了此前未被正式承认的喜马拉雅穿山甲物种Manis aurita的存在1。这一发现源自超过五年的长期研究，研究成果已发表在《通讯生物学》2026年第9卷第1期1。
该物种分布于尼泊尔和印度北部地区1。现场博物馆哺乳动物助理馆长Anderson Feijó表示，"我们无法保护我们不了解的东西，现在我们已经确认了这个穿山甲物种的存在，我们可以利用这些信息来帮助保护这些濒危动物"1。这一确认将帮助保护工作者追踪非法交易的穿山甲鳞片来源，加强打击偷猎工作1。穿山甲被称为世界上贸易最多的哺乳动物1。
Researchers have confirmed the existence of a previously unrecognized pangolin species by analyzing DNA extracted from a specimen collected nearly two centuries ago. The specimen, housed in the Natural History Museum in London and dating back to 1836, belongs to Manis aurita, commonly known as the Himalayan pangolin, which inhabits Nepal and northern India.1
The discovery, which involved more than five years of research and was published in Communications Biology in 2026, has significant implications for conservation efforts. Anderson Feijó, assistant curator of mammals at the museum, emphasized this importance, stating: "We cannot protect what we do not understand. Now that we have confirmed the existence of this pangolin species, we can use this information to help protect these endangered animals."1 The identification of this distinct species will enable conservationists to better track the sources of illegally trafficked pangolin scales and strengthen anti-poaching operations.1 Pangolins are recognized as the world's most traded mammals.1
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