Facial and Body Morphometric Indices of the Arboreal African Pangolin (Manis tricuspis): Anthropometric Tools in Describing the Pangolin

Abstract

Body and craniofacial measurements are essential tools in identifying species and characterising their external traits. Body surface measurements were obtained from six African pangolins (Manis tricuspis) – 3 males and 3 females. Facial and body measurements obtained from the pangolins revealed that the females had higher averages for body weight, body length and girth. The dimensions of the head showed that the males had a wider zygoma. Also, the manus and arm (humerus) in the females were longer (27.52±3.80 mm and 59.69±3.54 mm respectively) than in the males (26.95±3.35 mm and 50.68±10.22 mm respectively), while the lengths of the arm and the leg (all its components) were longer in the males. Data obtained from this study may provide basic information in assessing and comparing other species of the pangolin, and find application in archaeological, forensic and comparative anatomy of wildlife.

Keywords: Anthropometrics; African pangolin; Body indices; Craniofacial measurements