Study: Red Panda Is Actually Two Different Species

 

Red pandas are native to the high forests of Asia. They are only a little bigger than a house cat and considered to be endangered.

Scientists reported last month that not all red pandas belong to the same species. There are two different species of this animal, not just one, a study found.

The scientists reported finding major differences in three genetic¹ markers between Chinese red pandas and Himalayan red pandas. Scientists identified the markers after studying DNA² from 65 of the creatures. DNA carries genetic information for the development, growth and reproduction of living things.

Documenting the existence of two separate species could help guide efforts for protecting red pandas, scientists added.

Chinese red pandas live in northern Myanmar, as well as southeastern Tibet, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces in China.

Himalayan red pandas are native to Nepal, India, Bhutan and southern Tibet in China, the researchers said.

Conservation biologists Yibo Hu and Fuwen Wei led the study. Their findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

"To conserve³ the genetic uniqueness of the two species, we should avoid their interbreeding in captivity," Hu said. "Interbreeding between species may harm the genetic adaptations already established for their local habitat environment."

Scientists had earlier suggested there were two species of red panda. But the new study was the first to provide the genetic information necessary to permit such a judgment⁴.

International experts estimate a total population of around 10,000 red pandas in the wild. The two species differ in coloration and skull⁵ shape. The Himalayan red panda is the rarer of the two.

Major threats to red pandas include deforestation and habitat loss.

While they have similar names, red pandas and giant pandas are not closely related. Giant pandas are one of the world's eight bear species.

Red pandas are sometimes called living fossils because they have no close living relatives. They are the only remaining member of their mammalian family.*

Words in This Story

species – n. a group of individuals who have common qualities

conservation – n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources — often used before another noun

uniqueness – n. the quality or state of something being unlike anything or anyone else

interbreed – v. to cause animals of two different species to produce young animals that are a mixture of the two species

skull – n. the bones of the head

habitat – n. the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows

1 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

2 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

3 conserve   

vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭

参考例句：

• He writes on both sides of the sheet to conserve paper.他在纸张的两面都写字以节省用纸。
• Conserve your energy,you'll need it!保存你的精力，你会用得着的！

4 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

5 skull   

n.头骨；颅骨

参考例句：

• The skull bones fuse between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five.头骨在15至25岁之间长合。
• He fell out of the window and cracked his skull.他从窗子摔了出去，跌裂了颅骨。