Pangolins are fascinating creatures known for their unique appearance and specialized adaptations. When it comes to their distribution, pangolins are primarily found in Africa and Asia. However, there is one exception to this rule – Patriomanis americana, the only pangolin species known from the Western Hemisphere.
Patriomanis americana is an extinct species of pangolin that lived during the latest Eocene, specifically in the Chadronian North American Land Mammal Age. Fossils of this species have been discovered in central Wyoming and western Montana, providing us with valuable insights into the ancient pangolin populations in North America.
The discovery of Patriomanis americana is significant because it represents the only evidence of pangolins ever inhabiting North America. While the species is now extinct, its presence in the Western Hemisphere suggests that pangolins were once more widespread than they are today.
It’s worth noting that the presence of Patriomanis americana in North America during the Eocene does not necessarily mean that pangolins still live in the region today. The extinction of this species, along with various geological and environmental changes over millions of years, has likely contributed to the absence of pangolins in North America today.
To summarize, while pangolins are not native to North America in the present day, the existence of Patriomanis americana indicates that they did inhabit the region during the late Eocene. Understanding the evolutionary history and distribution of pangolins contributes to our knowledge of Earth’s biodiversity and the dynamic nature of species distribution over time.