Red Pandas Are Two Separate Species Study Finds
A team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed DNA from 65 red pandas from seven separate populations and determined two phylogenetic species that separated some time around 22 million years ago. One, Himalayan red pandas (Ailurus fulgens fulgens), can be found in southern Tibet and Nepal. Another, Chinese red pandas (Ailurus fulgens styani), can be found in southeastern Tibet and northern Myanmar. Aside from location, the team says they differ in terms of appearance, with Chinese red pandas having a redder face and more distinct rings around their tail....