Ochotona hoffmanni (Formozov, Yakhontov & Dmitriev, 1996)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Ochotonidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 28-43 : 35

12.

Hoffmann’s Pika

Ochotona hoffmanni

French: Pika de Hoffmann / German: Hoffmann-Pfeifhase / Spanish: Pica de Hoffmann

Taxonomy. Ochotona alpina hoffmanni Formozov, Yakhontov & Dmitriyev, 1996 ,

“Momnronusi, X5HTIUCKMHN aimak, J[airepXaH coMoH, 47°20’ c.m., 108°40’ B.A.” (= 47°20’ N, 108°40’ E, Delgerkhaan Sum, Khentii Province, Mongolia).

According to mtDNA and nDNA, O. hoffmanni belongs to subgenus Pika. Being described as a subspecies of O. alpina , it was elevated to full species status after detailed comparison with the latter species. Study of mtDNA revealed, however, that O. hoffmanni is closely related to another species group, which includes O. hyperborea and O. mantchurica . Monotypic.

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Distribution. S Ermana Range in Transbaikalia (S Russia) and S Ereenii Nuruu Range (Bayan Ulan Mts) in NE Mongolia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 190-210 mm, ear 20-22 mm, hindfoot 30-32 mm; weight 260-310 g. Hoffmann’s Pika is a large pika. Dorsal fur is ocherous brown. Ventral fur is grayish ocherous or ocher; chest is rufous. Winter fur is longer, softer, and grayer than during other seasons. Hairs above neck gland are chestnut. Ears are rounded, with white margins. Skull is large and stout, with incisive and palatal foramens separated. Auditory bullae are medium-sized. Condylobasal lengths are 46-50 mm, skull widths are 23-25 mm, and skull heights are 16-17 mm. Hoffmann’s Pika is larger than the Manchurian Pika ( O. mantchurica ) and the Northern Pika ( O. hyperborea ).

Habitat. Talus and rock outcrops in the forest. Hoffmann’s Pika prefers talus formed by very big stones. It is a typical rock dweller, living in hollows and crevices among stones. In years of high density, Hoffmann’s Pikas can be found in nearly all stony habitats in its distribution.

Food and Feeding. Hoffmann’s Pika feeds on green plants and stores hay in hay piles, situated under large stones.

Breeding. Breeding of Hoffmann’s Pika starts in May, and young appear aboveground in mid-June. Breeding can be delayed; in Bayan Ulan Mountains, pregnant females were first found in July.

Activity patterns. Hoffmann’s Pika is diurnal and avoids midday heat and windy periods. It is the most secretive pika among relative species. Although it moves and calls during daytime,it is most active under stones. Thus, Hoffmann’s Pika is rarely seen on open, flat scree.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Hoffmann’s Pika prefers to move among talus by running and leaping. There are no data on density, but Hoffmann’s Pika is very abundant in the Russian part ofits distribution. Areas occupied are marked with old hay piles and very large latrines, situated under large stones. All known calls of Hoffmann’s Pikas are the same type, used as alarm calls and roll calls. Nests of Hoffmann’s Pikas are under stones.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Hoffmann'’s Pika has a very limited distribution but is abundant in the southern Ermana Range, Russia. Its status in Mongolia is unknown.

Bibliography. Formozov & Baklushinskaya (1999), Formozov et al. (1996), Lissovsky et al. (2007), Melo-Ferreira et al. (2015).

Figures

On following pages: 3. Tsing-ling Pika (Ochotona syrinx); 4. Gansu Pika (Ochotona cansus); 5. Nubra Pika (Ochotona nubrica); 6. Plateau Pika (Ochotona curzoniae); 7. Thomas's Pika (Ochotona thomasi); 8. Alpine Pika (Ochotona alpina); 9. Turuchan Pika (Ochotona turuchanensis): 10. Northern Pika (Ochotona hyperborea); 11. Manchurian Pika (Ochotona mantchurica); 12. Hoffmann's Pika (Ochotona hoffmanni); 13. Korean Pika (Ochotona coreana), 14. Pallas's Pika (Ochotona pallasii).

Distribution. S Ermana Range in Transbaikalia (S Russia) and S Ereenii Nuruu Range (Bayan Ulan Mts) in NE Mongolia.