Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): Difference between revisions

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{{Taxobox
{{Image|Panda.jpg|right|300px|A Giant Panda eating bamboo at the [[Chengdu]] Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, [[Sichuan]] province, China.}}  
| color = pink
| name = Giant Panda <br>
| status = EN
| trend = unknown
| status_system = iucn3.1
| image = Panda.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = A Giant Panda eating bamboo at the [[Chengdu]] Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, [[Sichuan]] province, [[China]].{{Panda.jpg/credit}}
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Carnivora]]
| familia = [[Ursidae]]
| genus = ''Ailuropoda''
| species = '''''A. melanoleuca'''''
| binomial = ''Ailuropoda melanoleuca''
| binomial_authority = ([[Armand David|David]], [[1869]])
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
| subdivision =
''[[Ailuropoda melanoleuca melanoleuca|A. melanoleuca melanoleuca]]''<br>
''[[Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis|A. melanoleuca qinlingensis]]''
}}


The '''Giant Panda''' is a [[species]] of [[bear]] native to the [[mountain]]s of south-western [[China]]. With its distinctive black and white coat, its dependency on eating large amounts of [[bamboo]], and what appears to be an endearing [[cute|cuteness]] in its appearance and behaviour, the Giant Panda has long been a worldwide public favourite. The [[animal]] is by no means a 'softie', however, though occasional attacks on [[human]]s have yet to dent the Panda's public image.
The '''Giant Panda''' (''Ailuropoda melanoleuca'') is a [[species]] of [[bear]] native to the [[mountain]]s of south-western China. With its distinctive black and white coat, its dependency on eating large amounts of [[bamboo]], and what appears to be an endearing [[cute|cuteness]] in its appearance and behaviour, the Giant Panda has long been a worldwide public favourite. The [[animal]] is by no means a 'softie', however, though occasional attacks on [[human]]s have yet to dent the Panda's public image.


Some of the most interesting aspects of the Panda's [[physiology]] concern its [[food|feeding]] habits. Unlike some other bears, pandas do not hunt large animals; instead, they mainly eat bamboo, supplementing this with [[root]]s and occasionally smaller prey. To eat, the Panda grasps bamboo with the help of an elongated [[wrist]] [[bone]] which serves as a [[thumb]]: this adaptation of the wrist rather than its fifth digit serves as an interesting and controversial example of [[evolution]]. Another evolutionary consequence of the panda's descent from a [[carnivorous]] ancestor is that its [[digestion|digestive system]] is adapted for [[meat]] rather than a [[herbivore|herbivorous]] [[diet]]; as it cannot digest bamboo easily, the Panda must spend a lot of time eating. Perhaps due to this expenditure of time, and also the [[climate]] in which wild pandas reside, the animal also does not [[hibernation|hibernate]], unlike most closely-related species.
Some of the most interesting aspects of the Panda's [[physiology]] concern its [[food|feeding]] habits. Unlike some other bears, pandas do not hunt large animals; instead, they mainly eat bamboo, supplementing this with [[root]]s and occasionally smaller prey. To eat, the Panda grasps bamboo with the help of an elongated [[wrist]] [[bone]] which serves as a [[thumb]]: this adaptation of the wrist rather than its fifth digit serves as an interesting example of [[evolution]].<ref>'The panda's thumb' is a favourite example of [[creationism|creationists]], who believe that the development of the appendage supports their case. In fact, the evolution of panda paws is well understood: see for example [http://www.athro.com/evo/pthumb.html athro.com]</ref> Another evolutionary consequence of the panda's descent from a [[carnivorous]] ancestor is that its [[digestion|digestive system]] is adapted for [[meat]] rather than a [[herbivore|herbivorous]] [[diet]]; as it cannot digest bamboo easily, and this food provides little [[nutrition]], the Panda must spend a lot of time eating. As a result, the animal also does not [[hibernation|hibernate]], unlike most closely-related species.


The contrast between the Panda's habits and appearance has led to historical debates over whether it really is a bear, or should be placed with another group, such as [[raccoon]]s. A similar debate is ongoing about the lineage of the [[Red Panda]], which shares some characteristics of its Giant cousin, but is in fact only distantly related. Culturally, the word for 'panda' in the main [[Chinese language]], [[Mandarin language|Mandarin]], is ''dà xióng māo'' (大熊猫), literally 'great bear [[cat]]'; however, this does not mean that the [[Chinese people]] believe these animals to be [[feline]]. [[Science|Scientific]] evidence now places the Giant Panda in the [[Ursidae]] family, making it a 'true bear'.
The contrast between the Panda's habits and appearance has led to historical debates over whether it really is a bear, or should be placed with another group, such as [[raccoon]]s. A similar debate occurred about the lineage of the [[Red Panda]], which shares some characteristics of its Giant cousin, but is in fact only distantly related. Culturally, the word for 'panda' in the main [[Chinese language]], [[Mandarin language|Mandarin]], is ''dà xióng māo'' (大熊猫), literally 'great bear [[cat]]'; however, this does not mean that the [[Chinese people]] believe these animals to be [[feline]]. [[Science|Scientific]] evidence now places the Giant Panda in the [[Ursidae]] family, making it a 'true bear'.


[[Image:Baby-panda-tree.jpg|thumb|left|250px|This inhabitant of [[San Diego Zoo]] shows how a baby panda becomes increasingly comfortable with climbing [[tree]]s.{{Baby-panda-tree.jpg/credit}}]]
[[Image:Baby-panda-tree.jpg|thumb|left|250px|This inhabitant of [[San Diego Zoo]] shows how a baby panda becomes increasingly comfortable with climbing [[tree]]s.{{Baby-panda-tree.jpg/credit}}]]
Despite programmes worldwide to protect, care for and breed pandas, the animal remains [[endangered species|endangered]]. Perhaps 3000 exist in the wilds of such regions as [[Sichuan]] and [[Tibet]]. For some years, breeding programmes have attempted to encourage the bears to [[mating|mate]], with varied degrees of success. These programmes have ranged from the serious to the bizarre; for example, handlers in China have been known to administer [[Viagra]], the [[drug]] designed to treat [[impotence]] in humans. Other attempts have involved exposing unwilling pandas to film footage of other pandas in the act of mating, or placing the subject in an enclosure next to a successful pair.<ref>''[[BBC]] News'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6625789.stm Panda mating frenzy hits zoo].'</ref>
Despite programmes worldwide to protect, care for and breed pandas, the animal remains [[endangered species|endangered]]. Perhaps 3000 exist in the wilds of [[Sichuan]], [[Gansu]] and [[Shaanxi]] provinces,<ref>''Panda.org'': [http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/species/about_species/species_factsheets/giant_panda/index.cfm. Giant panda].'</ref> though a [[2008 Sichuan earthquake|2008 earthquake]] destroyed about a quarter of their habitat and fragmented the animals into smaller groups that would have more difficulty surviving.<ref>[http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/080192 Xu, Wang, Ouyang, Zhang, Li, Xiao & Zheng (2009)]; see also ''CNN'': '[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/07/27/panda.sichuan.eco/index.html One quarter of giant panda habitat lost in Sichuan quake]'. 27th July 2009.</ref> For some years, breeding programmes have attempted to encourage the bears to [[mating|mate]], with varied degrees of success. These programmes have ranged from the serious to the bizarre; for example, handlers in China have been known to administer [[Viagra]], the [[drug]] designed to treat [[impotence]] in humans. Other attempts have involved exposing unwilling pandas to film footage of other pandas in the act of mating,<ref>''[[BBC]] News'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7250657.stm Sex videos fail to engage pandas].' 19th February 2008.</ref> or placing the subject in an enclosure next to a successful pair.<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6625789.stm Panda mating frenzy hits zoo].' 4th May 2007.</ref>


==Evolution of the Giant Panda==
==Evolution of the Giant Panda==

Revision as of 10:08, 28 February 2024

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(CC) Photo: Richard IJzermans
A Giant Panda eating bamboo at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan province, China.

The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a species of bear native to the mountains of south-western China. With its distinctive black and white coat, its dependency on eating large amounts of bamboo, and what appears to be an endearing cuteness in its appearance and behaviour, the Giant Panda has long been a worldwide public favourite. The animal is by no means a 'softie', however, though occasional attacks on humans have yet to dent the Panda's public image.

Some of the most interesting aspects of the Panda's physiology concern its feeding habits. Unlike some other bears, pandas do not hunt large animals; instead, they mainly eat bamboo, supplementing this with roots and occasionally smaller prey. To eat, the Panda grasps bamboo with the help of an elongated wrist bone which serves as a thumb: this adaptation of the wrist rather than its fifth digit serves as an interesting example of evolution.[1] Another evolutionary consequence of the panda's descent from a carnivorous ancestor is that its digestive system is adapted for meat rather than a herbivorous diet; as it cannot digest bamboo easily, and this food provides little nutrition, the Panda must spend a lot of time eating. As a result, the animal also does not hibernate, unlike most closely-related species.

The contrast between the Panda's habits and appearance has led to historical debates over whether it really is a bear, or should be placed with another group, such as raccoons. A similar debate occurred about the lineage of the Red Panda, which shares some characteristics of its Giant cousin, but is in fact only distantly related. Culturally, the word for 'panda' in the main Chinese language, Mandarin, is dà xióng māo (大熊猫), literally 'great bear cat'; however, this does not mean that the Chinese people believe these animals to be feline. Scientific evidence now places the Giant Panda in the Ursidae family, making it a 'true bear'.

This inhabitant of San Diego Zoo shows how a baby panda becomes increasingly comfortable with climbing trees.© Photo: Chris Palmer

Despite programmes worldwide to protect, care for and breed pandas, the animal remains endangered. Perhaps 3000 exist in the wilds of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces,[2] though a 2008 earthquake destroyed about a quarter of their habitat and fragmented the animals into smaller groups that would have more difficulty surviving.[3] For some years, breeding programmes have attempted to encourage the bears to mate, with varied degrees of success. These programmes have ranged from the serious to the bizarre; for example, handlers in China have been known to administer Viagra, the drug designed to treat impotence in humans. Other attempts have involved exposing unwilling pandas to film footage of other pandas in the act of mating,[4] or placing the subject in an enclosure next to a successful pair.[5]

Evolution of the Giant Panda

Earliest known ancestor

In 2007, the earliest ancestor of the modern Giant Panda known to science was made public.[6] This 'pygmy bear' was much smaller than the current species, but seems to have lived in much the same way. A wearing down of the teeth, for example, points to a bamboo-based diet, as do unique features of the cranium. The team who examined this animal's remains were unable, however, to establish whether this 'miniature' specimen had similar black and white fur.[7]

This ancestor, Ailuropoda microta, was uncovered in Jinyin cave, Guangxi province in south China, and dates from the late Pliocene period of about two to 2.4 million years ago. The location of the remains indicate that ancestral pandas once ranged in the continent's tropical lowlands, whereas today only the upland regions such as Sichuan support wild pandas.

Footnotes

  1. 'The panda's thumb' is a favourite example of creationists, who believe that the development of the appendage supports their case. In fact, the evolution of panda paws is well understood: see for example athro.com
  2. Panda.org: Giant panda.'
  3. Xu, Wang, Ouyang, Zhang, Li, Xiao & Zheng (2009); see also CNN: 'One quarter of giant panda habitat lost in Sichuan quake'. 27th July 2009.
  4. BBC News: 'Sex videos fail to engage pandas.' 19th February 2008.
  5. BBC News: 'Panda mating frenzy hits zoo.' 4th May 2007.
  6. Jin et al. (2007).
  7. BBC News: 'Giant panda ancestor not so giant.' 18th June 2007.

See also