Qinling pandas, residing in the mountainous regions of the Shaanxi province, have captivated the scientific community with their exceptional brown and light brown coloration. This unique subspecies deviates from the iconic black and white appearance of giant pandas, making them a captivating subject of study.
Their habitat, dietary habits, and behavioral patterns closely resemble those of giant pandas, with a notable difference in size – Qinling pandas are slightly smaller. Additionally, they possess distinctive brown eye spots beneath their eyes, in contrast to the black eye patches of giant pandas.
The origin of brown Qinling pandas has long intrigued scientists. A 2024 study published in the journal Current Biology revealed a groundbreaking discovery: the brown coloration is attributed to a missing sequence in their DNA, specifically in the gene Bace2, which plays a crucial role in pigmentation.
This genetic mutation was identified by sequencing the genome of a captive brown panda named Qi Zai, along with the genomes of 35 other giant pandas, including two additional brown pandas. The researchers discovered that brown pandas inherited this unusual coloring due to the absence of a specific sequence in their Bace2 gene.
Interestingly, Qi Zai’s mother displayed a black and white coloration, indicating that Qinling pandas possess a dominant gene for black-and-white and a recessive gene for brown-and-light-brown colors. For a brown Qinling panda to be born, both parents must carry the recessive “brown” gene, making their occurrence exceptionally rare.
The limited population of brown Qinling pandas is attributed to the low probability of both parents possessing the recessive gene. Additionally, the subspecies inhabits a restricted mountainous region, resulting in genetic isolation and the perpetuation of the brown color variation.
This genetic quirk represents a significant advancement in the field of genetics, as it marks the first instance where a specific gene has been linked to the brown fur of Qinling pandas. The restricted population and inbreeding within the subspecies have facilitated the persistence of this unique color variation.
