Genetic study reveals red pandas to be actually two separate species

Redpandas are not a single species but rather two distinct ones, according to the most comprehensive genetic study to date on these endangeredmammals.

Scientists said on Wednesday they found substantial divergences between the two species of the red pandas, namely, the Chineseredpandas and the Himalayanredpandas after the geneticanalysis of the DNA from 65 of the animals.

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The bushy-tailed and russet-furredbamboo munchers dwell in Asian high forests.

The recognition of the existence of two separate species could help guide conservation efforts for a mammal adoredby many people even as its numbers dwindle in the wild, they added.

Chineseredpandas are found in northern Myanmar as well as southeastern Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China, while Himalayanredpandas are native to Nepal, India, Bhutan and southern Tibet in China, the researchers said.

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International experts have estimated a total population of roughly 10,000redpandas in the wild.

"To conserve the genetic uniqueness of the two species, we should avoid their interbreeding in captivity," said Chinese Academy of Sciences conservation biologist Yibo Hu, who along with colleague Fuwen Wei led the study published in the journal Science Advances. "Interbreedingbetween species may harm the genetic adaptationsalready established for their local habitat environment."

Scientists previously recognisedredpandas as divided into two sub-species. While it had been proposed that these were separate species, the new study was the first to provide the genetic data necessary to allow such a judgement.

The Himalayanredpandais the scarcer of the two and needs urgent protection because of low genetic diversity and small population size, Hu said.

The Yalu Zangbu River most likely marks the geographical boundary separating the two species, not the Nujiang River as previously believed, Hu added.

The two species also differ in colouration and skull shape.

"The Himalayanredpandahas more white on the face, whilethe face coat colour of the Chineseredpandaisredder with less white on it. The tail rings of the Chineseredpandaare more distinct than those of the Himalayanredpanda, with the dark rings being darkerredand the pale rings being more whitish," Hu said.

Despite similar names,redpandas and giantpandas are not closely related. Giantpandas are one of the world's eight bear species.

Redpandas are most closely related to a group that includes weasels, raccoons and skunks.