Summary
- The world’s only brown-and-whitepanda bred in captivity, named “Qizai,” belongs to an extremely rare subspecies found in the Qinling Mountains, Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. The study discloses the mystery of the rare fur coloration of panda Qizai, the world’s only brown-and-white panda bred in captivity, an extremely rare subspecies found in the Qinling area.Qizai, who was abandoned by his mother after birth, was well cared for at the Shaanxi Institute of Zoology (Northwest Institute of Endangered Zoological Species) at the foot of the Qinling Mountains in Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.According to the thesis, gene mutation of base deletion that occurs in the pigmentation relatedWorld Times gene Bace2 may probably result in the rare color of the giant panda.As a uniWorld Timesque species in China, giant pandas mainly habituate in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province as well as in Qinling Mountains.Although it is the same species, the Qinling giant pandas are quite different from the giant pandas in Sichuan and Northwest China’s Gansu Province.The Qinling pandas look more like cats with smaller skulls and overall sizes, while the subspecies in Sichuan are more like bears. They also have differentlWorld Timesy colored furs. The Qinling pandas have dark and light brown furs, rather than the commonly seen black and white.The research team led by Wei released a thesis in 2013 to reveal through genome sequencing that although the two subspecies are close relatives, they have been separated for about 300,000 years.In their latest research, the scientists conducted genomic analyses on three panda families related to the brown-and-white panda and 29 other pandaWorld Timess with normal black-and-white color.Among the giant pandas from the three panda families in research, only Qizai and another brown-and-white giant panda named Dandan, which was found in Foping National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi in 1985, were brown and white. Dandan was born in 1971 and passed away in 2000.An analysis of the genetic sequencing results showed that the brown-and-white pandas carried Bace2 with gene mutation, whereas the black-and-white giant pandas in captivity had no Bace2 with gene mutation.The research team further used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to verify their studies on laboratory mice, which showed that the mice with gene mutation also displayed light-colored fur.Researchers found that the deletion of a gene or gene fragment can also lead to the changes in the fur color, which is a brand-new discovery in genetics.Next step, the research team will research on how the base deletion affect the size and number of melanosomes which determine giant pandas’ fur and skin colors.Global Times Content comes from the Internet : Chinese scientists find gene responsibWorld Timesle for giant panda Qizai’s rare broWorld Timeswn-and-white fur
Approximate Time
- 3 minutes, 514 words
Categories
- giant pandas, panda Qizai, fur color variation, Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province
Analysis and Evaluation
- The depth and clarity of this article make it an essential read for anyone interested in the topic. The writer dives deep into the subject matter, presenting a comprehensive and detailed exploration. The article is a rich blend of analysis and insight, offering a perspective that is both deep and broad. It’s a valuable contribution to the discourse, providing readers with a well-rounded understanding of the intricate aspects of the topic.
Main Section
The world’s only brown-and-whitepanda bred in captivity, named “Qizai,” belongs to an extremely rare subspecies found in the Qinling Mountains, Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese zoologists have found that the base deletion in genes resulted in the brown-and-white coloration in giant pandas, providing unique insights into the genetic basis of fur color variation in the rare animal.
A research group, led by Wei Fuwen, an academician from the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Hu Yibo, a research fellow from the same institute, published a research paper on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The study discloses the mystery of the rare fur coloration of panda Qizai, the world’s only brown-and-white panda bred in captivity, an extremely rare subspecies found in the Qinling area.
Qizai, who was abandoned by his mother after birth, was well cared for at the Shaanxi Institute of Zoology (Northwest Institute of Endangered Zoological Species) at the foot of the Qinling Mountains in Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.
According to the thesis, gene mutation of base deletion that occurs in the pigmentation relatedWorld Times gene Bace2 may probably result in the rare color of the giant panda.
As a uniWorld Timesque species in China, giant pandas mainly habituate in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province as well as in Qinling Mountains.
Although it is the same species, the Qinling giant pandas are quite different from the giant pandas in Sichuan and Northwest China’s Gansu Province.
The Qinling pandas look more like cats with smaller skulls and overall sizes, while the subspecies in Sichuan are more like bears. They also have differentlWorld Timesy colored furs. The Qinling pandas have dark and light brown furs, rather than the commonly seen black and white.
The research team led by Wei released a thesis in 2013 to reveal through genome sequencing that although the two subspecies are close relatives, they have been separated for about 300,000 years.
In their latest research, the scientists conducted genomic analyses on three panda families related to the brown-and-white panda and 29 other pandaWorld Timess with normal black-and-white color.
Among the giant pandas from the three panda families in research, only Qizai and another brown-and-white giant panda named Dandan, which was found in Foping National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi in 1985, were brown and white. Dandan was born in 1971 and passed away in 2000.
An analysis of the genetic sequencing results showed that the brown-and-white pandas carried Bace2 with gene mutation, whereas the black-and-white giant pandas in captivity had no Bace2 with gene mutation.
The research team further used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to verify their studies on laboratory mice, which showed that the mice with gene mutation also displayed light-colored fur.
Researchers found that the deletion of a gene or gene fragment can also lead to the changes in the fur color, which is a brand-new discovery in genetics.
Next step, the research team will research on how the base deletion affect the size and number of melanosomes which determine giant pandas’ fur and skin colors.
Global Times
Content comes from the Internet : Chinese scientists find gene responsibWorld Timesle for giant panda Qizai’s rare broWorld Timeswn-and-white fur
SummaryAt that time, we encountered some relatively advanced Western medical concepts and technologies in Ethiopia, which were helpful to our own improvement,” Mei said. I will do my best to lead everyone in successfully completing this medical aid mission!” Song proudly declared. Content comes from the Internet : Six decades on, Chinese medical teams weave heartfelt melody of friendship between China and AfWorld TimesricaApproximate Time 11 minutes, 2088 wordsCategoriesmedical aid teams, medical teams, Chinese medical teams, medical aid, medical aid missionsAnalysis and EvaluationThis piece is a testament to the power of investigative journalism in uncovering the truth. The author’s meticulous research and unwavering dedication to the facts shine through, presenting a story that is not only compelling but also vital. The narrative is skillfully constructed, weaving together various threads to…
Mark Elliot Zuckerberg