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 Scientific Name Geographic DistributionEndemic to China (the giant panda, the only living species) 3 Defining CharacteristicsOnly extant genus in the bear subfamily Ailuropodinae 1 Member Count Band Era First Appeared Partially Attested
Member Species/Taxa CountCounts the one living species only; the source names three further species as prehistoric chronospecies. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceVertical slit pupils similar to those of cats, unlike the round pupils of most bears 1 Classification
Living or Extinct Connections
Parent Taxon Of
Source Ailuropoda baconi (Wikipedia)
Source Ailuropoda microta (Wikipedia)
Source Ailuropoda wulingshanensis (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
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 Source2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ535979, descriptionView the Source 3. Giant Panda (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationDistribution and habitatQuote, Distribution and habitat
The giant panda is endemic to China.
4. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Ailuropoda
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 1
5. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Ailuropoda
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Ailuropoda" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 3.6 ... "early_interval": "Piacenzian"
Wikidata: Ailuropoda
Wikidata Q535979, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Ailuropoda baconi (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Ailuropoda baconi, LeadQuote, Parent Taxon Of: Ailuropoda baconi, Lead
Ailuropoda baconi is an extinct species or subspecies of bear
Ailuropoda microta (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Ailuropoda microta, Lead, genusQuote, Parent Taxon Of: Ailuropoda microta, Lead, genus
Ailuropoda microta is the earliest known member of the genus Ailuropoda
Ailuropoda wulingshanensis (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Ailuropoda wulingshanensis, Lead, giant panda lineageQuote, Parent Taxon Of: Ailuropoda wulingshanensis, Lead, giant panda lineage
Ailuropoda wulingshanensis is an extinct species of bear belonging to the giant panda (Ailuropoda) lineage that existed during the Early Pleistocene.
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