Mechanism of Speciation
Giant panda's mechanism of speciation is sympatric. Speciation is the process where one species splits into two or more species. Sympatric speciation occurs when the population lives in the same area. So the giant panda's mechanism is sympatric because they came from "a common species in the same geographical " (Mckenzie Hicks, 2012). Giant pandas are from south-east and north-east China and are from many early ancestors of its kind such as the Pygmy Giant Panda and the Ailuraractos lufengensis which both originate from China or more specifically south China and Myanmar. (Mckenzie Hicks, 2012)
|
Mechanism of Evolution
The mechanism of evolution of a giant panda is natural selection. Natural selection promotes evolutionary adaptations. Giant pandas have always lived in China where it was cool and surrounded by bamboo forests. When their ancestor (the pygmy giant panda) came out of the ice age, they would adapt to harsh weather by gaining in body size to withstand it. Then it was the start of their evolutionary adaptations mainly to do with their main course of food, bamboo.
(Kelly Kaczmarek, n.d.)
- They formed a bigger head to support the strong jaw muscles and the unusual large molars they have.
- They gained an "sixth toe" to better hold the bamboo they eat
- Strong digestive system
- Esophagus lining is reinforced
- Strong stomach muscles
- Large colon
- Stronger legs to support their weight
(Kelly Kaczmarek, n.d.)