Rare Brown Pandas’ Genetic Mystery Unraveled by Scientists

The iconic Chinese Giant Panda, known for its black-and-white fur, has intrigued scientists with the rare discovery of brown-and-white coat variations found only in the Qinling Mountains in China.

In a new scientific breakthrough, researchers have delved into the genetic mysteries of these unique brown pandas, debunking the misconceptions of inbreeding.

The first documented brown panda, Dandan, was rescued in 1985 in Foping County and since then, there have been multiple recorded sightings of this unusual variant.

Fueling the study is Dr. Fuwen Wei, a wildlife expert at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who spearheaded the research into unraveling the genetic basis behind the distinct brown-and-white coat coloration of these pandas.

An important subject of the study was Qizai, the only brown panda currently in captivity, rescued in 2009 from the Foping National Nature Reserve.

Comparing Qizai’s melanosomes with those of black-and-white pandas revealed key differences in size and shape, shedding light on the genetic variations causing this unique coat color.

Genetic analysis unveiled that the recessive trait responsible for the brown coat color is linked to the Bace2 gene, present in two pandas from the Qinling Mountains, not Sichuan where the majority of pandas reside.

A groundbreaking experiment using -Cas9 technology on lab mice replicated the genetic mutation, resulting in altered coat color, supporting the researchers’ findings in brown pandas.

The study conclusively indicated that the rare brown-and-white coat is a product of natural variation in the Qinling Mountains, ruling out inbreeding as the cause behind this genetic anomaly.

Tiejun Wang, an expert from the University of Twente, applauded the team for their efforts in dispelling the inbreeding myth surrounding these fascinating pandas, offering a positive outlook for their conservation.