Tag Archives: Zoology

Inbreeding in Panda Population?: Extremely Rare Brown and White Panda Spotted

By jyaron | Published: January 20, 2010
An extremely rare brown and white panda was recently spotted in the Qinling region of China. Only 7 such examples of this pigmentation have been seen in the past 25 years, suggesting that the low numbers of giant pandas have lead to inbreeding. This suggestion stems from the nature of this particular sort of pigmentation, [...]
Posted in Genetics, Genomics, Zoology | Also tagged , , | 1 Comment

Colo, Oldest Captive Gorilla, Celebrates 53rd Birthday

By jyaron | Published: December 24, 2009
The oldest living gorilla in captivity, Colo (from Columbus, Ohio), celebrated her 53rd birthday with what looks like a giant, great ape-size cake (see video, click image or here). Interestingly, Colo is also the first gorilla every born in captivity. A Western Gorilla, her species is Critically Endangered. Colo is quite the matriarch, with one [...]
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New Insight About Why Chimpanzees Can’t Speak, But We Can

By jyaron | Published: November 13, 2009
Why is it that humans can speak, but chimpanzees, with their >98% genetic identity to humans, can’t? For almost a decade scientists have known that the FOXP2 gene is responsible for the mendelian development of language in humans. Theories abound about how a mere 2 amino acid change may have been all that was needed [...]
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Monkeys Enjoy Music.. Their OWN Music.

By jyaron | Published: September 5, 2009
While monkeys prefer silence in the presence of human music, they apparently enjoy the music produced by themselves and their own vocal chords. This could provide significant improvements in the lives of captive animals and offers a unique look at the dynamics of animal physiology and psychology. Read More Read the original publication
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