Scientists in China identifies reason for existence of brown pandas

Chinese biologists have identified a genetic mutation, due to which the colour of the coat of some pandas is not black and white, but brown and white. This is reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

A team of scientists analysed biological samples collected from 227 individuals during a study in a national reserve.

Genome sequencing revealed a homozygous deletion of the Bace2 gene, which causes hypopigmentation, in animals with unusual colouration. Because of this feature, the fur of brown pandas is lighter than that of standard-coloured pandas.

The world's first brown panda was discovered in 1985 in the mountains of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Since then, very few animals with this mutation have been recorded, and all have been photographed in this particular area.