Energetics suggest cause for even further conservation concern for Temminck’s ground pangolin

Abstract

Conservation of rare and declining species requires reliable information about life‐history traits and population growth characteristics. Unfortunately, long‐term studies necessary to obtain such data are often difficult or impossible for species of concern. In such cases, data that can be collected during limited capture events can serve as valuable proxies. We measured metabolic characteristics of Temminck’s ground pangolin Smutsia temminckii because metabolic traits provide clues about relative gestation length, reproductive output and population growth, all of which were largely unknown for this species. As expected, both basal and field metabolic rates are considerably lower than would be predicted from body mass alone, suggesting pangolins are likely to have slow life histories and low intrinsic population growth. Such characteristics suggest Temminck’s ground pangolins (and likely all pangolins) are less able to persist under heavy poaching and trafficking than other similarly sized mammals and will likely recover slowly even if poaching and trafficking are stopped. While physiological data cannot be used to directly calculate population growth rates, we believe they may provide a tangible data source to inform management decisions for critically endangered, difficult‐to‐study species.

Feasting, not fasting: winter diets of cave hibernating bats in the United States

“…Second, once expended, their energy reserves are not easily replenished, as prey availability in winter is limited as low ambient temperature reduces prey activity and abundance [1,[4][5][6]. Therefore, temperate bats reduce their energetic costs in winter by engaging in periodic bouts of torpor, a physiological state characterized by low body temperature and metabolic rate, for prolonged periods of time [1,7,8].…”

Temminck’s pangolins relax the precision of body temperature regulation when resources are scarce in a semi-arid environment

“…The body temperature of pangolins has been found to be lower than that of other placental mammals of similar size, likely reflecting their low metabolic rate ( McNab, 1984 ; Griebeler and Werner, 2016 ; Boyles et al, 2019 ). Pangolins in our study, however, had mean body temperatures that were higher compared with those measured previously for Temminck’s pangolins in captivity (32–34°C; Boyles et al, 2019 ; Wicker et al, 2020 ) and for one animal in the wild (32–35°C; Pietersen, 2013 ).…”

“…The body temperature of pangolins has been found to be lower than that of other placental mammals of similar size, likely reflecting their low metabolic rate ( McNab, 1984 ; Griebeler and Werner, 2016 ; Boyles et al, 2019 ). Pangolins in our study, however, had mean body temperatures that were higher compared with those measured previously for Temminck’s pangolins in captivity (32–34°C; Boyles et al, 2019 ; Wicker et al, 2020 ) and for one animal in the wild (32–35°C; Pietersen, 2013 ). The highest (absolute maximum) body temperature (38.2°C) we measured was higher than the maximum body temperatures reported previously for any pangolin species in captivity (33.9–37.8°C, Jones, 1973 ; McNab, 1984 ; Heath and Hammel , 1986 ; Heath, 1987 ; Boyles et al, 2019 ; Challender et al, 2020 ; Yu et al, 2021 ) and almost 3°C higher than that previously reported for a wild Temminck’s pangolin (35.4°C), measured across 34 days in winter ( Pietersen, 2013 ).…”

Cumulative Exposure to Phthalates and Their Alternatives and Associated Female Reproductive Health: Body Burdens, Adverse Outcomes, and Underlying Mechanisms

“…Although global trends in female fertility rates have been declining over the past few decades, , female reproductive disorders are generally understudied in the scientific community. Many factors influence the continuous decline of female reproductive health, and the role of environmental exposure in the development of female reproductive disorders warrants further attention …”

“…Many factors influence the continuous decline of female reproductive health, and the role of environmental exposure in the development of female reproductive disorders warrants further attention. 5 Phthalates, a class of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), are derived from the esterification of phthalic acids. 6 They make up a group of chemicals used as plasticizers and flavor enhancers and are widely used in food packaging, personal care, and industrial products.…”