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Taxa

Ailuropoda

Mammal Genera

Ailuropoda is the only extant genus in the bear subfamily Ailuropodinae, containing one living species, the giant panda, and three extinct fossil chronospecies. Despite belonging to the order Carnivora, the giant panda diet is almost exclusively bamboo, and unlike most bears it has vertical slit pupils similar to a cat, the origin of both its scientific name and its Chinese name, meaning large bear cat. The genus descended from the late Miocene genus Ailurarctos.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Genus 1
Scientific Name
Ailuropoda 1
Geographic Distribution
Endemic to China (the giant panda, the only living species) 3
Defining Characteristics
Only extant genus in the bear subfamily Ailuropodinae 1
Partially Attested
Member Species/Taxa Count
1 1
Counts the one living species only; the source names three further species as prehistoric chronospecies.
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Vertical slit pupils similar to those of cats, unlike the round pupils of most bears 1
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
In the Other Atlases
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Asia, found in there.
Sources
1. Ailuropoda - Wikipedia
  • Lead, first sentence
    Ailuropoda is the only extant genus in the ursid (bear) subfamily Ailuropodinae.
  • Lead, first sentence, bold genus name
    Ailuropoda is the only extant genus in the ursid (bear) subfamily Ailuropodinae.
  • Lead, second sentence
    currently exists; the other three species are prehistoric chronospecies.
  • Lead, first sentence, subfamily clause
    Ailuropoda is the only extant genus in the ursid (bear) subfamily Ailuropodinae.
  • Etymology
    Unlike most bears, giant pandas do not have round pupils, but instead have vertical slits, similar to those of cats.
View the Source
2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ535979, descriptionView the Source
3. Giant Panda (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationDistribution and habitat
Quote, Distribution and habitat
The giant panda is endemic to China.
View the Source
Wikidata: Ailuropoda
Wikidata Q535979, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
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