Data from: Why is the giant panda black and white?

Although the external appearances of most mammals are drab browns and grays used to match their backgrounds, certain species stand out as exceptions, perhaps the most notable being the giant panda. Using a comparative phylogenetic approach, we examined associations between different pelage regions and socioecological variables across carnivores and ursid subspecies to shed light on the giant panda’s black and white pelage coloration. Analyses of fur color and background environments suggest that the giant panda’s white face, nape, dorsum, flank, belly and rump are adapted for crypsis against a snowy background, while its black shoulders and legs are adapted for crypsis in shade. Dark markings on the head are not used in crypsis, however, but in communication: dark ears may be involved with signaling intent about ferocity whereas dark eye marks may serve in individual recognition. There is no compelling support for their fur color being involved in temperature regulation, disrupting the animal’s outline, or in reducing eye glare. We infer that the giant panda’s unique pelage coloration serves a constellation of functions that enable it to match its background in different environments and to communicate using facial features.尽管多数哺乳动物的体色多为暗沉的棕、灰两色，以适配自身的生存背景，但仍有部分物种是例外，其中最具代表性的当属大熊猫（giant panda）。本研究运用比较系统发育方法（comparative phylogenetic approach），对食肉目（carnivores）动物与熊科（ursid）亚种的不同被毛（pelage）区域与社会生态变量（socioecological variables）间的关联展开分析，以阐明大熊猫黑白被毛体色的形成机制。针对毛色与生存背景环境的分析结果显示，大熊猫的白色面部、颈背、背部、体侧、腹部与臀部，适配雪地环境中的隐蔽伪装（crypsis）；而其黑色的肩部与腿部，则适配阴影环境中的隐蔽伪装。不过头部的深色斑纹并非用于隐蔽伪装，而是服务于通讯交流：深色耳区可能用于传递攻击性意图的信号，而眼部周围的深色斑纹则可用于个体识别。目前尚无充分证据表明，大熊猫的毛色可参与体温调节、破坏自身轮廓，或是降低眼部眩光。本研究推断，大熊猫独特的被毛体色具备多重协同功能，使其能够在不同环境中适配生存背景，并通过面部特征完成通讯交流。