Thu. Nov 14th, 2024

Qinling pandas, a subspecies of giant pandas native to China’s Qinling Mountains, have long fascinated researchers due to their unique brown fur variation. Unlike their famous black-and-white counterparts, these brown pandas are exceptionally rare, with only a dozen or so documented sightings.

The discovery of the first brown Qinling panda, a female named Dandan found in 1985, puzzled scientists for decades. While Qinling pandas were officially recognized as a subspecies in 2005, the mystery behind their brown fur remained unsolved until 2024.

In a groundbreaking study published in PNAS, scientists sequenced the genome of a brown Qinling panda named Qi Zai and discovered a genetic mutation in a pigment-related gene called Bace2. This mutation, absent in 192 black-and-white pandas tested, is responsible for the brown coloring seen in Qinling pandas. Further analysis indicated that both parents must carry the recessive “brown” gene for a brown panda to be born, explaining their extreme rarity.

XI’AN, CHINA – MARCH 15: A brown giant panda named ‘Qi Zai’ rests at Qinling Sibao Science Park on March 15, 2023 in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province of China. (Photo by Wang Lei/VCG via Getty Images)

The genetic isolation of Qinling pandas in their mountainous habitat has likely contributed to the persistence of this rare color variation through inbreeding. This discovery represents a significant advancement in genetics, linking the absence of a specific genetic segment to a distinct change in coloration.

Despite their smaller size compared to other giant pandas and slight differences in appearance, Qinling pandas share a similar diet and behavior, primarily feeding on bamboo. Their brown fur, now understood as a genetic quirk rather than a mystery, adds to the allure of these already captivating creatures in the realm of wildlife conservation and genetic research.

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