Endoparasites of Chinese wild giant pandas identified as new species and named

China News Service, Chengdu, June 8 (Wang Peng) The reporter learned from Sichuan Agricultural University on the 8th that the school’s scientific research staff, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland, identified and named the parasites found in Sichuan wild pandas. The new species—Ancylostomaailuropodaen.sp.) has increased the existing species of Ancylostomaailuropodaen.sp. to 15 species. Data map of

: Wild panda photographed by infrared camera. China News Service reporter Zhong Xin photo

Related research results were recently published in the internationally renowned academic journal "Parasites&Vectors". Professor Yang Guangyou, the corresponding author of the paper, told reporters that as early as the 1990s, they discovered in their research that wild pandas were infected with a parasite, which is likely to be a new species in terms of morphology.

"But because the sample size was too small, it was impossible to fully identify it at that time." Yang Guangyou said that for more than ten years since then, the school's researchers have been observing, sampling and researching the parasite. Until November 2013, a dead female wild panda was found in Sichuan Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve, and the researchers finally collected a sufficient number of samples when identifying its death.

For the collected 17 Ancylostoma worms (including 7 males and 10 females), the researchers used molecular genetics, ecology, morphology and other research methods to finally identify a new species-the big Ancylostoma panda. The insect species has now been included in the global shared biological species name database (ZooBank).

According to reports, Ancylostoma giant pandas live in the small intestines of giant pandas and feed on blood. They can cause weight loss, anemia, and poor growth and development of giant pandas, and are harmful to the health of giant pandas.

“After discovering this kind of bug, in the future, we will pay attention to and use targeted drugs when rescuing giant pandas.” Yang Guangyou said that the discovery of giant panda Ancylostoma is of great significance to the protection of giant pandas. (End)