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.
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.