Do you know everything about brown and white pandas? Then you're in the right place! These cuddly bears represent one of the rarest and most fascinating genetic variants of the giant panda. They are a global symbol of a species at risk of extinction. These pandas, with their distinctive brown coats, which clearly distinguish them from the classic black and white pandas, are the subject of great scientific and conservation interest. However, their exact global population remains difficult to quantify.
All about brown and white pandas: the first sighting
The first documented sighting of a brown panda dates back to 1985 in the Qinling Mountains, one of the key areas for giant panda conservation in China. Since then, brown and white pandas have been sighted only in a few exceptional cases, with estimates based on limited data suggesting 7-10 confirmed individuals as of 2021. The scarcity of sightings is due to the elusive nature of these animals and the paucity of in-depth studies.
One of the most famous brown pandas is Qi Zai, Born in 2009, Qi Zai is the seventh documented brown panda. He is the only brown panda raised in captivity and was cared for at the Foping Nature Reserve. The famous panda was later transferred to the Louguantai Wildlife Center. Despite his distinctive brown coloring, Qi Zai has not passed this genetic trait on to his cubs.
The albino panda and genetic mutation
Pandas' brown fur is the result of a genetic mutation that reduces the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the giant panda's characteristic black color. Specific DNA deletions affect melanocytes, reducing the black pigment and giving the fur its fascinating, unique brown color.
A study published in the journal PNAS, the official journal of the American Academy of Sciences, and reprinted by Nature, reveals that the distinctive white-brown fur of some pandas is the result of a genetic mutation. Specifically, the missing portion of a small portion of the genetic sequence within the BACE2 gene was identified. This gene encodes a protein involved in coat pigmentation. This mutation causes this protein to malfunction.
Furthermore, the hair of these pandas features a smaller number and smaller size of melanosomes, the cellular organelles that produce the pigment melanin. This genetic trait was also documented in Dandan, the first brown panda observed in 1985, who underwent similar genetic analysis by scientists. The preservation of this extremely rare genetic variant is crucial not only for biodiversity but also for scientific research, which continues to study brown pandas to better understand their genetics, behavior, and adaptation to their natural habitat.