Forrest's pika

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Forrest's pika
Ochotona forresti.png
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Ochotonidae
Genus: Ochotona
Species:
O. forresti
Binomial name
Ochotona forresti
Thomas, 1923
Forrest's Pika area.png
Forrest's pika range

Forrest's pika (Ochotona forresti) 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.

Taxonomy

Forrest's pika belongs to the pika family, Ochotonidae, [2] which consists of small mammals that have short ears, forelimbs very slightly longer than hindlimbs, and no external tail. [3] It was first described by the British zoologist Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas in 1923, who gave it the scientific name Ochotona forresti. [2] The taxonomy of the species is unclear. [4] It was earlier assigned as a subspecies of the Moupin pika ( Ochotona thibetana) by Feag and Kao in 1974, Weston in 1982, and Honacki, Kinman, and Koeppl in 1982. It was also assigned to the Royle's pika ( Ochotona roylei) by Corbet in 1978, [4] and the steppe pika ( Ochotona pusilla ) by Ellerman and Morrison-Scott in 1951. [5] It is sympatric with the Gaoligong pika ( Ochotona gaoligongensis ), Ochotona macrotis chinensis, Ochotona gloveri calloceps, Royle's pika and possibly with the Moupin pika, and allopatric with the Royle's pika. [4] [5] However, according to morphometric and genetic studies, Forrest's pika is a separate species that is confined to the Gaoligong Mountains. [1]

The Gaoligong pika and black pika ( Ochotona nigritia ) have been treated as separate species, but are now considered to be conspecific, representing a melanistic (dark) colour phase of Forrest's pika. O. f. duoxianglaensis is evidently synonymous with the Moupin pika. [1] It may also be closely related to the Chinese red pika ( Ochotona erythrotis ). [6]

Description

Forrest's pika is similar to a small hare, [7] measuring 15.5 to 18.5 cm (6.1 to 7.3 in) in length, and weighing 110 to 148 g (3.9 to 5.2 oz). The greatest length of the skull is 3.7 to 4.1 cm (1.5 to 1.6 in), [8] and the skull is more curved than the Moupin pika. It also has a broad interorbital region (the region of the skull located between the eyes, anterior to the braincase), and rectangular, broad nasals. [6] It does not have a tail. [7] The summer dorsal pelage and ventral pelage are dark rufous or blackish brown. [8] The ears are rounded, measure 1.8 to 2.3 cm (0.71 to 0.91 in) in length, [7] and feature dark gray spots in the back. In a few individuals, the spots form a dorsal collar on the nape and extend onto the face, but the forehead remains brown. The dorsal side of the ears are light chestnut in color, and have a white rim. The winter dorsal pelage is grayish brown which is slightly lighter in tone than the ventral pelage. The feet are dull white in color, the foreclaws are long, and the hindfeet are 2.7 to 3 cm (1.1 to 1.2 in) long. [8] The  incisive foramen (funnel-shaped opening in the bony plate of the skull, located in the roof of the mouth, immediately behind the incisor teeth where blood vessels and nerves pass) is combined with the palatal foramina, and has a wavy edge. [6]

Moupin's pika is similar to Forrest's pika, but it has paler ventral pelage, shorter foreclaws, a narrower skull especially across the cheek bone, and buffy patches behind the ears, which do not meet around the back of the neck. [7]

Distribution and habitat

Forrest's pika occurs in the eastern Himalayas and Kangri Garpo mountains in southwestern China (northwestern Yunnan and southeastern Tibet), Bhutan, northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim), and northwestern Myanmar. [4] [8] It is observed in the high elevation regions of northern Arunachal Pradesh, above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) from sea level in the Tawang district, and also in high elevation regions of the West Kameng and East Kameng districts. In 1997, it occurrence was reported just north of the Upper Dibang Valley district, in Medog County, Tibet. It does not occur in present-day Assam, which belonged to the former Undivided Assam before 1972. [5]

Forrest's pika inhabits high altitude mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests, and shrubland thickets. It is also thought to occur around rock piles. [7] It usually occurs on south-facing mountain slopes at elevations of 2,600 to 4,400 m (8,500 to 14,400 ft) above sea level. [1] [7]

It is rarely found, and is one of the six pika species endemic to central China, with no true population studies. [9] [lower-alpha 1]

Behavior and ecology

Forrest's pika is a generalist herbivore. Although very little is known about its behavior and ecology, Forrest's pika is speculated to dig burrows. [8] Very little or nothing is known about its reproduction. [1]

Status and conservation

In 1994, Forrest's pika was assessed as insufficiently known on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species, and in 1996 its status was changed to near threatened. It was re-assessed in 2008 and 2016, and rated as a species of  least concern because although the current state of its population trend is unclear, its population is not considered to be declining near the rate required to warrant the species a threatened status. Although no natural historic or ecological investigations have been done on Forrest's pika, there are no known threats to its population. [1] It is, however, possibly threatened by the loss of montane woodlands. [7] The Chinese regional Red List has described the species as near threatened. [1]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yunnan hare</span> Species of mammal

The Yunnan hare is a medium-sized species of mammal in the family Leporidae. It has soft, flat, and long dorsal pelage which is grayish brown or dark gray in color, and whitish ventral pelage. It was considered endemic to China, but its presence was recorded in northern Myanmar in 2000. It is a herbivore, and forages on shrubs and forbs. It is rated as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The Red List of China's Vertebrates has listed the Yunnan hare as near threatened, almost meeting the criteria to be listed as vulnerable.

<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">Gansu pika</span> Species of mammal

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

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<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">Glover's pika</span> Species of mammal

Glover's pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It was first described in 1922, by Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas. The summer dorsal pelage is grayish rufous, grayish brown, or tea brown in colour. The winter pelage is similar to the summer pelage, but is lighter in tone. Endemic to China, it is found in high altitudes of northeastern Tibet, southwestern Qinghai, western Sichuan, and northwestern Yunnan. It is a generalist herbivore, and is known to construct haypiles. It is rated as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is also regionally red listed as least concern in China.

<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">Ili pika</span> Species of mammal

The Ili pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae, endemic to northwest China. After its discovery in 1983, it was studied for a decade. 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, with approximately fewer than 1,000 left.

<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">Muli pika</span> Species of mammal

The Muli pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. The species' natural habitat is the palearctic, specifically the Yunnan Plateau subtropical evergreen forest ecoregion of the Sichuan province in China. Localized to the region’s general altitude of 3600 meters, the Muli pika is rarely encountered. The small population size and restricted habitat of the Muli pika likely threaten the species. The Muli pika is considered extant.

<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">Moupin pika</span> Species of mammal

The Moupin pika, also known as Ribetischer Pika, Moupin-Pika, Pika del Tibet, and Manipuri pika, is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae. It has many subspecies, some of which may be distinct species. Its summer pelage is dark russet-brown with some light spots on the dorsal side, and ochraceous buff tinged on the belly. In winter it is lighter, with buff to dull brown dorsal pelage. A generalist herbivore, it is found in the mountains of the eastern Tibetan Plateau in China, Bhutan, India (Sikkim), and northern Myanmar. Both the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species and the Red List of China's Vertebrates classify it as a species of least concern; although one subspecies may be endangered.

<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">Black pika</span> Species of mammal

The black pika or silver pika is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It was thought to be common to the Yunnan Province of China where it was first discovered in 2000, it is only known from four specimens. The validity of the species has been questioned, with some studies suggesting that the known specimens represent melanistic individuals of Forrest's pika.

<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

Notes

  1. The other five species are the Thomas's pika ( Ochotona thomasi ), the Gaoligong pika, the Tsing-ling pika ( Ochotona huangensis ), the Muli pika ( Ochotona muliensis ), and the black pika. [9]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Smith, A.T.; Liu, S. (2016). "Ochotona forresti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T15048A45178927. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T15048A45178927.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Wrobel 2007, p.  353.
  3. Armstrong, Fitzgerald & Meaney 2010, p.  260.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Chapman & Flux 1990, p.  31.
  5. 1 2 3 Choudhury 2003, p.  99.
  6. 1 2 3 Smith, Andrew T.; Xie, Yan; Hoffmann, Robert S.; Lunde, Darrin; MacKinnon, John; Wilson, Don E.; Wozencraft, W. Chris (2010). A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 280. ISBN   978-1400834112.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Francis & Barrett 2008, p.  380.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Smith & Xie 2013, p.  170.
  9. 1 2 Alves, Ferrand & Hacklände 2008, p.  308.

Bibliography

Further reading