Knowing the history of Panda

2007/10/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Eboluzioa
• Zoologia
• Paleontologia
• Arkeologia

We know little about the evolutionary history of Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). We know that the pioneer of the modern panda lived a million years ago and belonged to the species Ailuropoda baconi, but we do not know the steps he took in the evolution to reach a carnivorous bear of the Miocene.

A skull found in China 6 years ago has revealed something about history. It belongs to a ancestor of Panda, an Ailuropoda microta.

The teeth and shape of the bones have shown that the panda was already herbivorous, more than 2 million years ago. In addition, this ancestor measured less than a meter, so it was less than the current one, -it measures a meter and a half. They conclude that it grew because it specialized in bamboo.