Sequence data identified four unique cytB haplotypes
BLAST comparisons of sequence data indicated that all samples (blood and scat) originated from pangolin and were most similar to the Chinese pangolin. Four new cytB haplotypes, cytB-01 (PQ261028), cytB-02 (PQ261029), cytB-03 (PQ261030) and cytB-04 (PQ261031), were detected within the 24 pangolin cytB sequences identified in this study (Fig. 2). The most common haplotype detected was cytB-01, with 54% (13/24) individuals sequenced in this study having this haplotype (Fig. 2). Compared to cytB-01, haplotypes detected in this study had between one and four base pair differences. Other haplotypes were less common and unique to areas in east (Taplejung, cytB-02 and cytB-04) or central Nepal (Kathmandu, cytB-03), however, further sampling would be needed to determine whether these haplotypes may be distributed more broadly.