Red pandas are actually two separate species, study finds

[FfFfFfFF 58,118]

Red pandas, the bushy-tailed and russet-furred mammals that dwell in Asia’s high forests, are not a single species but rather two distinct ones, according to the most comprehensive genetic study to date on these endangered animals.

Scientists said on Wednesday they found substantial divergences between the two species – Chinese red pandas and Himalayan red pandas – in three genetic markers in an analysis of DNA from 65 of the animals.

“To conserve the genetic uniqueness of the two species, we should avoid their interbreeding in captivity,” said Chinese Academy of Sciences conservation biologist Yibo Hu, who along with colleague Fuwen Wei led the study published in the journal Science Advances. “Interbreeding between species may harm the genetic adaptations already established for their local habitat environment.“

The recognition of the existence of two separate species could help guide conservation efforts for a mammal as its numbers dwindle in the wild, they added.

Scientists previously recognised red pandas as divided into two subspecies. While it had been proposed that these were separate species, the new study was the first to provide the genetic data necessary to allow such a judgment.

“The Himalayan red panda has more white on the face, while the face coat color of the Chinese red panda is redder with less white on it. The tail rings of the Chinese red panda are more distinct than those of the Himalayan red panda, with the dark rings being more dark red and the pale rings being more whitish,” Hu said.

 

Now for comparison: 

 Chinese Red Panda (redder face, their tail has more prominent rings)

  Himalayan Red Panda (whiter fur/ less pigmented fur on the face, tail rings that are less noticeable)

 

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/28/red-pandas-are-actually-two-separate-species-study-finds

 

[Enzo 37,977]

Can they reproduce together tho? Were they doing that? Lol

[Enzo 37,977]

I love your science threads

[Guest Adarsh]

1 minute ago, Enzo said:

Can they reproduce together tho? Were they doing that? Lol

[FfFfFfFF 58,118]

2 minutes ago, Enzo said:

Can they reproduce together tho? Were they doing that? Lol

Species closely related to each other can reproduce and have viable offspring (ex: lion and tiger, horse and zebrae etc) and given the two red pandas are very closely related, yes, it's very likely they can.

Sometimes two different species that aren't as closely related  can reproduce but the embryo resulted dies in a matter of seconds.

[BleepBloop 10,316]

I love your scientific topics

[FentyGa 14,340]

is slight difference in fur really enough to call it a different species? that’s like saying a ginger is a different species from a blonde lol

[Enzo 37,977]

21 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

Species closely related to each other can reproduce and have viable offspring (ex: lion and tiger, horse and zebrae etc) and given the two red pandas are very closely related, yes, it's very likely they can.

Sometimes two different species that aren't as closely related  can reproduce but the embryo resulted dies in a matter of seconds.

And do they birth to a new species or? 

[Quartz 12,762]

I didn't even read it, I just awwwed at the pictures. 

[Red 99,108]

I am happy for red pandas and Imma let them finish but how did you put pictures in the middle of the text like that?

[FfFfFfFF 58,118]

5 minutes ago, Red said:

I am happy for red pandas and Imma let them finish but how did you put pictures in the middle of the text like that?

Post the pic -> double click on it -> choose Right or Left

 

[Red 99,108]

1 minute ago, FfFfFfFF said:

Post the pic -> double click on it -> choose Right or Left

 

I always use this menu to change the size of images but I had never noticed this alignment setting

[FfFfFfFF 58,118]

Just now, Red said:

I always use this menu to change the size of images but I had never noticed this alignment setting

You're welcome.

[FfFfFfFF 58,118]

56 minutes ago, Enzo said:

And do they birth to a new species or? 

For it be an actual species it needs to have multiple individuals (preferably in the wild) so theoretically an offspring of a Chinese and Himalayan panda won't be a new species. At least not not taxonomically but they do sometimes get names.

For instance the offspring of a Lion x Tiger is called Liger or Tigon.

The offspring of a Zebra x Hourse/ Donkey is Zebroid.

Something similar happens with dog x wolf hydrids except dogs and wolves are still the same species.

[Enzo 37,977]

1 minute ago, FfFfFfFF said:

For it be an actual species it needs to have multiple individuals (preferably in the wild) so theoretically an offspring of a Chinese and Himalayan panda won't be a new species. At least not not taxonomically but they do sometimes get names.

For instance the offspring of a Lion x Tiger is called Liger or Tigon.

The offspring of a Zebra x Hourse/ Donkey is Zebroid.

Something similar happens with dog x wolf hydrids except dogs and wolves are still the same species.

Omg the Liger