As humans, pandas choose partners

Study shows that the giant pandas also prefer to choose their sexual partners. This results in more matings and more puppies. The information is important for breeding programs of the species.

Not all animals are humans, but humans are animals. And these, in turn, behave more similarly to the man than previously thought. Like the giant pandas, when it comes to sex.

Just imagine someone choosing the sexual partner to a person, the best he or she could get - at least with regard to genetic mixing and offspring that both generate. The option then would either go to bed with that partner, or forget the sex of time.

That boring, no? A giant panda probably think the same way.

In zoos or other centers of creation of giant pandas, usually organizes a breeder pairs for mating. Your goal is to minimize inbreeding and maximize reproductive rates.

This all has to do with the genes: the individual preferences of each bear lie outside the process. But should be considered, advise Meghan Martin-Wintle, San Diego Zoo, and his fellow researchers in the journal Nature Communications.

Pandas drawn

Scientists gathered the-giant pandas living in the Center for Research and Conservation Bifengxia, with the Chinese province of Sichuan, China, and documented that pairs of males and females seemed to understand, what not.

The signs of mutual liking included leaving olfactory marks, play in the water, roll, urinating and interact with the opposite sex, explain Martin-Wintle and colleagues. Other obvious indications were masturbation and erection of the penis.

The antipathy, on the other hand, was demonstrated in physical abuse, lack of interest, cries, howls and growls.

Once you have registered the bears that pleased each other and which obviously does not understand, the researchers joined the couple for mating, according to the best genetic mix - as is usually done. And they watched what was happening then.

More sex, more puppies

The couples-giant pandas that had enjoyed twice more sex than those who do not understand. What researchers call "successful intrusions" - meaning "sex." Preferred mated pairs in 72% of cases; the other, by one third. Many have chosen to not cross at all.

The giant pandas-liked who had about one and a half times more offspring than the other. The love between pandas translated into 1.4 young per mating, rather than the usual average of just a puppy.

Typically, the female-giant pandas have one or two calves. If couples do not mate and produce no offspring, the overall average of births decreases.

"If the creators incorporate the mating preferences in the reproduction management, the generation of descendants of giant pandas in China-reintroduction programs could be greatly accelerated," the study concludes.

Free will

When the creators tried mating pandas seemed to hate, in a third of cases the specimens crossed yet generating offspring. This could lead to the assumption that personal preference is not as important in the sexual life of a giant panda.

For breeding programs, animals genetically compatible mating is crucial in order to prevent hereditary diseases as rare species. The breeding program of China's giant panda aims to generate a sufficient number of individuals to be reintroduced in the wilderness, restoring or complementing the people out of captivity. They have to be absolutely healthy.

The suggestion of the researchers: determine which partners are genetically compatible - after that gather the animals and let the pandas choose. This would allow "having the best of both worlds." According to scientists, the research does not apply only to the giant pandas; it will also help breeding programs of other threatened species.

Lazy reputation

A recent survey estimated at 1,864 the number of giant pandas living in wild areas. Fortunately the figure is increasing and amounts to 268 animals more than in the last survey, released about a decade ago. Still, the number is still worryingly low.

It is often said that the giant pandas-reproduce too slowly, being lazy in terms of mating. "This is just a legend," he said in an interview with DW Arnulf Köhncke, WWF. "Pandas-giants do not reproduce less effectively than other bears."

Experts attribute the persistence of the myth to the fact that the reproduction of the animal in captivity is very difficult. In addition to not accepting any male, females are only fertile pandas for about 36 hours each year. This only gives zoological one and a half to present the female to their future mating partner.

If the process does not work, artificial insemination is the only alternative - an expensive procedure and rather bland for the bears. All the more reason to allow the giant pandas-make their own sexual choices.