Differences Between Red Pandas and Giant Pandas in the...

The article compared the behavior of red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) and giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in the wild with regards to foraging, daily and seasonal activity, and land use pattern. The purpose of the study was to improve understanding of the nature of the evolutionary relationship between the two species. A combined method of behavior observation and radio telemetry was used to gather the data. The giant pandas (3 males and 2 females) were radio-collared and studied between 1981 and 1983 and the female red panda in 1984 in a 35km2 area in the Wolong Reserve in China. The activity patterns of the red panda were recorded by taking readings from a motion-sensor fitted in the radio-collar once every month from February to†¦show more content†¦The researchers attributed these feeding patterns to the physiology and nutritional requirements of these animals. Because of their small body size, red pandas could eat small amounts of the most nutritious part of the plant and still meet their nutritional requirements. Giant pandas could not implement the same strategy due to their larger body size. As a result, they ate leaves and stems in bulk to satisfy their nutritional requirements. Compared to giant pandas, red panda rested more often during the day, even though there was no significant difference in the lengths of the resting periods. The red panda was most active in the morning and evening while giant pandas had no obvious periods of peak activity. Whereas the red panda had regular activity throughout all months of the year, the giant panda showed some seasonal change in activity patterns. It was also discovered that both species had an overlapping range even though each species concentrated its activity around a particular core area. Contributions: Red pandas and giant pandas have historically shared their range and the two species are said to be sympatric. This means that they have evolved alongside each other in the same geographical area sharing the same resources, but not showing any signs of competitive exclusion. There has been a debate for many years about the evolutionary relationship between these herbivorous carnivores. Although they share several biological and behavioralShow MoreRelatedAsia: the Worlds Largest and Most Popular Continent4519 Words   |  19 PagesMiddle East, but not in Asia, even though the Middle East is a division of Asia. The demarcation between Asia and  Africa  is the  isthmus  of  Suez  and the  Red Sea. The border with Europe starts with the coast of the eastern Mediterranean, even though Turkey in the  Near East  extends partly into the  Aegean Islands  and includes  Istanbul on the European side of the  Bosporus. On the north the boundary between the continents of Asia and  Europe  is commonly regarded as running through the  Dardanelles, the  SeaRead MoreComparative Study of Pakistan Chinese Cultures13385 Words   |  54 Pagesideology, ethics and living styles are compared with some examples and details. The architecture, food, arts and crafts, religion, education and festivals are elaborated in write detail to get the list of both cultures and to figure out the difference between two friendly boarder countries. It has been found that both courtiers have different religion ideologies and living styles but both share the same shades of love, harmony and respect for the elders. School of Management Northwestern PolytechnicalRead MoreMcdonalds Strategic Analysis12693 Words   |  51 Pagesmanagement system, accounting system, and usually the information system. Supplies are ordered from previously approved sources. Managers often receive training at corporately sponsored institutes. The simplest franchise type involves a contract between a supplier and a business owner. The business owner agrees to sell only one version of a particular product. For example, McDonald’s sells only Coca-Cola soft drinks. The fastest growing type of franchise is the package franchise in which a wholeRead MoreLas 432 Research Paper: Gmos20901 Words   |  84 Pagesunderstand why this subject is so highly debated, polarizing and fueled with a pro or con stance, it is best to start at the beginning. Genetically Modified Organisms and the technology used to create them have been around for a very long time. The difference is in recent years the processes and uses for GMOs has increased while removing some of the ‘natural’ aspects of it. In times of the past, farmers would take the pollen from one plant and cross pollinate that with that of another plant to create