Abstract：
The Temminck\'s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) is one of eight pangolin species worldwide and the only pangolin present in southern Africa. Historically, pangolins have not been able to reproduce successfully in captivity and this may be in part due to the lack of knowledge and understanding with regards to the pangolin reproductive system (anatomy, physiology, biology) in all eight species. This original study describes the gross anatomy of the male Temminck\'s pangolin from three adult individuals investigated. The male Temminck\'s pangolin presented a short, conical penis with ascrotal (internal) testes, similar to many other myrmecophagous mammals such as the aardvark (Orycteropus sp.) and anteaters (suborder: Vermilingua). However, the orientation of the penis of the Temminck\'s pangolin differed in that it was oriented cranioventrally, in contrast to the caudal orientation of the giant anteater. The testes were found to be bilaterally flattened with an elongate oval shape, similar to the aardvark. The specific characteristics of the reproductive tract of the male Temminck\'s pangolins are thought to be adaptations to their peculiar lifestyle as the male portrays characteristics that indicate adaptation to a lower basal metabolic rate and body temperature as well as to their defensive mechanism of rolling up into a ball. Our study suggests the male Temminck\'s pangolin reproductive anatomy is most similar and comparable to the Xenarthrans and the aardvark that display the same fossorial activities as pangolins, and the male morphology is not comparable to the phylogenetically closely-related Carnivora.
摘要：
Temminck的穿山甲（Smutsiatemminckii）是全球八种穿山甲之一，也是南部非洲唯一的穿山甲。历史上,穿山甲未能在圈养中成功繁殖，这可能部分是由于缺乏关于穿山甲生殖系统的知识和理解(解剖学，生理学,生物学）在所有八个物种中。这项原始研究描述了来自三个成年个体的雄性Temminck穿山甲的大体解剖结构。雄性Temminck的穿山甲出现了一个短,锥形阴茎与腹侧（内部）睾丸，类似于许多其他myrmecophago哺乳动物，例如aardvark（Orycteropussp。)和食蚁兽(子顺序:Vermilingua)。然而,Temminck穿山甲的阴茎的方向不同，因为它的方向是颅腹侧，与巨大食蚁兽的尾部方向相反。发现睾丸两侧变平，呈细长椭圆形，类似于aardvark。雄性Temminck穿山甲的生殖道的特定特征被认为是对其特殊生活方式的适应，因为雄性描绘了对较低的基础代谢率和体温的适应以及对其防御机制的适应。卷成一个球。我们的研究表明，雄性Temminck的穿山甲的生殖解剖结构与Xenarthrans和aardvark最相似，并且与穿山甲具有相同的穿山甲活动，并且雄性形态与系统发育密切相关的食肉动物没有可比性。
