Ili pika

Last updated

Ili pika
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Ochotonidae
Genus: Ochotona
Species:
O. iliensis
Binomial name
Ochotona iliensis
Li & Ma, 1986
Ili Pika area.png
Ili pika range

The Ili pika (Ochotona iliensis) is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae, endemic to northwest China. After its discovery in 1983, it was studied for a decade. [2] [ citation needed ] Increased temperatures, likely from global warming, and increased grazing pressure may have caused the rapid decline in population. According to IUCN last assessed in 2018, the Ili pika is now considered an endangered species, [3] with approximately fewer than 1,000 left. [4]

Contents

Description

The Ili pika somewhat resembles a short-eared rabbit. It is large for a pika, with a length of 20.3–20.4 centimetres (8.0–8.0 in) and a weight of up to 250 grams (0.55 lb). It has brightly colored hair and displays large rusty-red spots on forehead, crown, and the sides of the neck. [2] [5]

Range

It is endemic to the Tian Shan mountains of northwest Chinese province Xinjiang. A recent census indicated that the Ili pika may have been extirpated from the Jilimalale and Hutubi South Mountains. [2]

Ecology

The Ili pika inhabits talus slopes at high elevations, usually from about 2,800 to 4,100 meters. [6] This species constructs haypiles and is a generalized herbivore. [2] It primarily feeds on grasses and herbs. [6] It occupies slightly sloping high rock walls or cliff faces interlaced with gaps or holes that serve as dens. [2] [5] In the decade following its discovery, the Ili Pika was found at 11 localities in the northern spur of the Tian Shan, extending roughly from 82°21′ – 87°25′ E longitude. An additional two populations were discovered in the center of a smaller southern spur of the Tian Shan, a range which extends from 82°20′ – 84°13′ E. The Ili Pika is found only on these two ridges, and these coordinates define the maximum possible distribution of the species. [7]

Almost nothing is known about the ecology or behavior of the species. [8] : 37  The Ili pika has low population densities. It is mostly a diurnal species[ citation needed ], but may exhibit nocturnal activity. Two litters are initiated each breeding season, in which two young are found in a nest, [2] but only one is successful. The second litter is conceived following a post-partum estrus- when their mother’s fat reserves have been already used up. [9] Therefore, the second litter is abandoned due to the limitation of resources needed to nurture them.

The Ili pika is similar to other rock-dwelling pikas in that they are asocial creatures[ citation needed ], however, they are less likely to utter vocalizations[ citation needed ]. Also, the Ili pika varies the percent of time it is active during the day or night based on seasons. During the winter season, they are more active during the day while during the spring and fall, they are more active at night. [10]

Conservation

The species was first observed by conservationist Li Weidong in 1983. After three years of research, Li and his team named it the Ili pika, after the area where it is found, the Ili Prefecture on the far west side of China's Xinjiang province. [11] The animal was not observed again until May 2014 (again by Li). Up to 2015, a total of 29 live sightings were reported. [6]

There were three specimens captured that were observed and used to describe the species in 1986. Additionally, There were studies conducted within the decade to learn more about the species. These studies involved physical presence in the sites where Ili pikas had been thought to be present. These studies were not successful since there were few to no pika's available at various sites. [2]

Its population has been reduced by 70% within 15 years. Population declines have been observed for several locations inhabited by this species. A recent census indicated that the Ili pika may have been extirpated from the Jilimalale and Hutubi South Mountains. Populations have declined in the regions of Jipuk, Tianger Apex, and Telimani Daban. Only one examined site, the Bayingou region of Xinjiang Uygur, showed signs of previously observed abundance. An estimated 2,000 mature individuals existed in the early 1990s. [2] The exact causes for recently observed population declines are not known with certainty, but it is speculated that an increase in grazing pressure and global atmospheric pollution resulting in climate change are negatively affecting populations. It has been suggested that a warming climate has increased the presence of vegetation and animal species from lower elevations in the pika's habitat, leading to a larger number of attendant predators (e.g. foxes) to which pika populations had not so far been exposed. [12] Researchers also believe that some other reasons for the decline in the Ila pika population may be disease throughout the species or increased human activity in the area. [2] Low population densities and reproductive rates coupled with the relatively limited ability to disperse impede the ability of the species to recover from declines. One study of captive animals suggests that the species has some capacity to adapt its feeding habits to lower elevations. [13] The high temperatures in the mountains due to climate change are causing the Ili pika to migrate up and will eventually be forced to reach the peak, where it is occupied, and sooner the Ili pika will no longer have anywhere to go. [2] There are no known conservation measures in place for the Ili pika. [2]


Nutrion: They feed on grass and herbs.<ref>Dramatic decline of the threatened Ili Pika Ochotona iliensis ... (n.d.-a). https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E17F1D13BB71E4D5989E50763B058DAA/S0030605305000062a.pdf/div-class-title-dramatic-decline-of-the-threatened-ili-pika-span-class-italic-ochotona-iliensis-span-lagomorpha-ochotonidae-in-xinjiang-china-div.pdf /ref>

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pika</span> Genus of mountain-dwelling mammal

A pika is a small, mountain-dwelling mammal native to Asia and North America. With short limbs, a very round body, an even coat of fur, and no external tail, they resemble their close relative, the rabbit, but with short, rounded ears. The large-eared pika of the Himalayas and nearby mountains lives at elevations of more than 6,000 m (20,000 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American pika</span> Species of mammal

The American pika, a diurnal species of pika, is found in the mountains of western North America, usually in boulder fields at or above the tree line. They are herbivorous, smaller relatives of rabbits and hares. Pikas have two different ways of foraging; they either directly consume food or they cache food in piles for the winter (haying).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpine pika</span> Species of mammal

The alpine pika is a species of small mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae. The summer pelage of different subspecies varies drastically but, in general, it is dark or cinnamon brown, turning to grey with a yellowish tinge during the winter. The alpine pika is found in western Mongolia, eastern Kazakhstan, and Russia, as well as in China, in very cold, mountainous regions. It is a generalist herbivore, and mainly forages on mosses, tree branches, pine nuts, and plant stems. It can emit three series of different vocalizations: a long call, a short call, and an alarm call. It is rated as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helan Shan pika</span> Species of mammal

The Helan Shan pika or silver pika is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae. It is endemic to China where it is found in a small region of the Helan Mountains. It is listed as "Endangered" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as of 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gansu pika</span> Species of mammal

The Gansu pika or gray pika is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae. It is endemic to China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daurian pika</span> Species of mammal

The Daurian pika is a small relative of rabbits and hares in the order Lagomorpha. It is well known for its “barking” alarm call, and for its peculiar habit of making hay to help survive the winter. There are 4 recognized subspecies, Ochotona dauurica annectens, O.d. bedfordi, O.d. dauurica, and O.d. mursavi. Daurian pikas, like other lagomorphs, are characterized by a secondary set of incisor teeth. They are sexually monomorphic, with thick reddish coats. Pikas have no external tail, and their ears are large and rounded. The auditory bullae, a feature of the skull of daurian pikas are small in comparison to many other pikas. This is thought to be related to their fairly low altitude habitat preference. They are considered keystone species within their habitat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese red pika</span> Species of mammal

The Chinese red pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. Typical of a pika it has short limbs, a small tail and round ears. Specific to the Chinese red pika has distinctive red color in its pelt. The Chinese pika typically lives in rocky terrain at altitudes between 600 and 1200 meters. and is endemic to the East Qinghai, West Gansu and Northern Sichuan provinces of China and Eastern Tibet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forrest's pika</span> Species of mammal

Forrest's pika is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, and Myanmar. The summer dorsal pelage and ventral pelage are dark rufous or blackish brown, and the winter dorsal pelage is a grayish brown, slightly lighter in tone than the ventral pelage. It is a generalist herbivore. It was assessed by the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species as insufficiently known in 1994, as near threatened in 1996, and re-assessed in 2008 as a species of least concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaoligong pika</span> Species of mammal

The Gaoligong pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is endemic to China. Many of the general physical characteristics of the pika species, are shared by Gaoligong pikas. However, the Gaoligong pika is specifically characterized by unique physical characteristics, including a red-brown colored crown around the neck and black behind the ears. They can produce one litter per year and can live up to three years. Their behavior is currently undetermined due to limited information available about the species. This is due to the inaccessibility of their habitat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himalayan pika</span> Species of small mammal in the genus Ochotona

The Himalayan pika is a species of small mammal in the pika family (Ochotonidae). It is found at high altitudes in remote areas of Ladakh, Uttarakhand and possibly also in Nepal &Tibet. The IUCN has listed this species as being of "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoffmann's pika</span> Species of mammal

Hoffmann's pika is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae, that is endemic to Mongolia. It is currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladak pika</span> Species of mammal

The Ladak pika, also known as the Ladakh pika, is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae found in China, India, and Pakistan. Prior to identification as a separate species, specimens were thought to be of the plateau pika. Named for the Ladakh region, they are commonly found in valleys of the mountain ranges spanning from Pakistan through India to China at an elevation between 4,300 and 5,450 m and are herbivores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Large-eared pika</span> Species of mammal

The large-eared pika is a species of small mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is found in mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Tibet, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan and Tajikistan where it nests among boulders and scree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steppe pika</span> Species of mammal

The steppe pika is a small mammal of the pika family, Ochotonidae. It is found in the steppes of southern Russia and northern Kazakhstan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkestan red pika</span> Species of mammal

The Turkestani red pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. The summer fur at its back is bright rufous and the ventral fur is white or ochraceous. The winter dorsal fur is pale brown and the ventral fur is white or light ochraceous in colour. It is found in the mountains of western Xinjiang in China, and sporadically also in the central Asian mountains in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The female has a low fertility rate, and gives birth to offspring during the breeding season from spring to summer. She generally produces two litters each year, with two to six young. It is rated as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species, but it is considered to be near-threatened within the China part of its range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas's pika</span> Species of mammal

Thomas's pika, also known as the Thomas-pika, is a species of small mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae. The fur on its upper body is reddish brown in summer, and mouse grey in winter. It is a generalist herbivore threatened by habitat loss, being found on isolated peaks of the eastern Qilian Mountains in Qinghai, Gansu, and northwestern Sichuan, in China. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species assessed the animal as insufficiently known in 1994, as near threatened in 1996, and as a species of least concern in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pallas's pika</span> Species of mammal

Pallas's pika, also known as the Mongolian pika, is a species of small mammals in the pika family, Ochotonidae. It is found mainly in the mountains of western Mongolia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsing-ling pika</span> Species of mammal

The Tsing-ling pika is a species of pika endemic to the mountains in Central China. It inhabits mountainous forests and shrublands. It is a poorly known species.

References

  1. ↑ Li, W.; Smith, A.T. (2019). "Ochotona iliensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T15050A45179204. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T15050A45179204.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Li, W.; Smith, A.T. (2005). "Dramatic decline of the threatened Ili pika Ochotona iliensis (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae) in Xinjiang, China". Oryx. 39: 30–34. doi: 10.1017/s0030605305000062 .
  3. ↑ Li, W. & Smith, A.T. 2019. Ochotona iliensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T15050A45179204. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T15050A45179204.en Archived 2023-04-14 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed on 18 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "12 rare animals that are teetering on the brink of extinction". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2021-06-10. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
  5. 1 2 Smith, A.T. & Xie, Y. (2023). The Mammals of China. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. ISBN   9781400846887.
  6. 1 2 3 "Unbelievably Cute Mammal With Teddy Bear Face Rediscovered". National Geographic. 2015-03-19. Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  7. ↑ Diaz, H. F., Millar, C. I., Cayan, D. R., Dettinger, M. D., Fagre, D. B., Graumlich, L. J., Greenwood, G., Hughes, M. K., Peterson, D. L., Powell, F. L., Redmond, K. T., Stephenson, N. L., Swetnam, T. W., & Woodhouse, C. (2006). Mapping new terrain: Climate change and America's west. report of the Consortium for Integrated Climate Research in Western Mountains (Cirmount). U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station.
  8. ↑ Smith, A.T. & Xie, Y. (1990). "Chapter 3: The Pikas". In J. A. Chapman & J. C. Flux (eds.). Rabbits, Hares and Pikas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland.
  9. ↑ Smith, Andrew T. (2008), "The World of Pikas", Lagomorph Biology, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 89–102, doi:10.1007/978-3-540-72446-9_6, ISBN   978-3-540-72445-2, archived from the original on 2023-04-14, retrieved 2023-03-16
  10. ↑ Li, W., & Smith, A. T. (2015). In search of the illusive and iconic Ili pika (Ochotona iliensis). MOuNTAIN VIEWS, 21.
  11. ↑ Li, W.; Ma, Y. (1986). "A new species of Ochotona, Ochotonidae, Lagomorpha". Acta Zoologica Sinica. 32: 375–379.
  12. ↑ Kevin Krajick (2004). "All Downhill From Here?". Science. 303 (5664): 1600–1602. doi:10.1126/science.303.5664.1600. JSTOR   3836425. PMID   15016975. S2CID   140164420.
  13. ↑ Wei-dong, L. (1994). "A Preliminary Research on the Artificial Feeding of Ili Pika". Chinese Journal of Vector Biology and Contral. 2.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.