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Post by King Kodiak on Feb 1, 2020 8:23:11 GMT -5
A new subspecies of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from Shaanxi, China Multivariate statistical analyses of cranial and dental morphology and comparison of pelage coloration were used to describe a new subspecies of giant panda from the Qinling Mountain range of Shaanxi Province in China. Based on 2 components that were highly related to skull and molar sizes, respectively, principal components analysis grouped all samples into 2 clusters corresponding to the Qinling and Sichuan samples. The Qinling cluster was characterized by significantly smaller skulls and larger molars compared to the Sichuan cluster. Based on skull and molar sizes, discriminant function analysis also correctly identified all samples from Qinling and Sichuan populations. Comparison of pelage coloration indicated that Sichuan individuals had black chest patches and white ventral pelages, whereas Qinling pandas had dark brown chest patches and brown ventral pelages. These results reveal that the diagnostic characteristics of the new Qinling subspecies are a small skull, large molars, dark brown chest patch, and brown ventral pelage. Full study here: www.researchgate.net/publication/250068147_A_new_subspecies_of_giant_panda_Ailuropoda_melanoleuca_from_Shaanxi_China
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Post by brobear on Nov 18, 2020 3:15:52 GMT -5
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_panda#Subspecies Two subspecies of giant panda have been recognized on the basis of distinct cranial measurements, colour patterns, and population genetics. The nominate subspecies, A. m. melanoleuca, consists of most extant populations of the giant panda. These animals are principally found in Sichuan and display the typical stark black and white contrasting colours. The Qinling panda, A. m. qinlingensis, is restricted to the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi at elevations of 1,300–3,000 m. The typical black and white pattern of Sichuan giant pandas is replaced with a light brown and white pattern. The skull of A. m. qinlingensis is smaller than its relatives, and it has larger molars. A detailed study of the giant panda's genetic history from 2012 confirms that the separation of the Qinlin population occurred about 300,000 years ago, and reveals that the non-Qinlin population further diverged into two groups, named the Minshan and the Qionglai-Daxiangling-Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan group respectively, about 2,800 years ago.
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