Ochotona thibetana (A. Milne-Edwards, 1871)

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 : 30-31

2.

Moupin Pika

Ochotona thibetana

French: Pika du Moupin / German: Tibet-Pfeifhase / Spanish: Pica de Moupin

Taxonomy. Lagomys thibetanus Milne-Edwards, 1871 ,

“Moupin [= Baoxing],” Baoxing County, Ya’an, Sichuan, China.

According to mtDNA, O. thibetana belongs to subgenus Ochotona . Together with O. cansus and O. syrinx , it forms a morphologically homogeneous group, difficult to identify. Up to the late 20™ century, all | three species were united as O. thibetana .

Existence of wide sympatry zones and cranial differences between O. thibetana and those two species led to separation ofall three taxa. Morphologically, O. thibetana represents a compact, clearly separated taxon; studies of mtDNA show deep divergence between local populations. Singular mtDNA sequences do not form a monophyletic clade. Taxon morosa is usually aggregated with O. cansus , and it morphologically resembles O. thibetana ; however,it is closer to O. cansus based on the analysis of singular mtDNA sequences. According to morphological study, it includes nanggenica, sikimaria, and zappey:. Usually, sacraria is listed as subspecies of O. thibetana , but the type specimen of sacraria belongs to O. syrinx . Study of singular mtDNA sequences suggests a separate taxonomic position of sikimaria. Provisional subspecies are recognized here, but they need further revision. Ochotona thibetana is sympatric with O. syrinx in peripheral parts of Hengduan Mountains in Sichuan and widely with O. cansus in Sichuan. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

O.t.thibetanaMilne-Edwards,1871—HengduanMtsinSETibet(=Xizang),WSichuan,NWYunnan(China),andNMyanmar.

O. t. nanggenica Zheng Changlin, Liu Jike & Pi Nanlin, 1980 — SE Qinghai.

O. t. sikimaria Thomas, 1922 — Sikkim (N India), W Bhutan, and adjacent Tibetan Plateau (China).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 120-180 mm, ear 15-25 mm, hindfoot 23-33 mm; weight 55-105 g. The Moupin Pika is small-sized. Dorsal fur is brown or rufous brown, mixed with lighter or darker hair tips. Ventral fur is gray, dull brown, or ocherous. Throat and chest are brown. Winterfuris longer, softer, and grayer than during other seasons. Ears are small, rounded, gray inside at bases, and brown closer to edges, with narrow white margins. General variation in pelage color of the Moupin Pika widely overlaps that of the Gansu Pika ( O. cansus ) and the Tsing-ling Pika ( O. syrinx ). Skull of the Moupin Pika is small, with widely confluent incisive and palatal foramens. Auditory bullae are small. Condylobasal lengths are 32-37 mm, skull widths are 17-19 mm, and skull heights are 12-14 mm. Skull of the Moupin Pika is wider than that of the Gansu Pika and more prominent than that of the Tsing-ling Pika.

Habitat. Forest and shrub in the mountains at elevations of 2100-4300 m. The Moupin Pika inhabits coniferous, birch, and mixed forests with underbrush and avoids meadows and pastures. It is a burrowing species.

Food and Feeding. The Moupin Pika feeds on green plants, but there is no information about hay hoarding or winter diets.

Breeding. Breeding of Moupin Pikas starts in May. Female has 3-5 neonates.

Activity patterns. The Moupin Pika is diurnal, but some authors have reported activities throughout day and night.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Moupin Pika moves openly or under cover of vegetation, but it does not move far from its burrow. Areas occupied by Moupin Pikas are characterized by burrow openings, barely visible trails, and singular pellets. Vocalizations are unknown. The Moupin Pika digs burrows among tree roots or under rocks. A burrow typically has 2-5 entrances, several branching tunnels, and a breeding chamber. Tunnel length can be nearly 3 m; overall depth is very shallow.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Dahal & Ramakrishnan (2012), Lissovsky (2014), Lu Jigi et al. (1997), Yu Ning et al. (2000), Zheng Changlin (1989).

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).

Subspecies and Distribution. O.t.thibetanaMilne-Edwards,1871—HengduanMtsinSETibet(=Xizang),WSichuan,NWYunnan(China),andNMyanmar. O. t. nanggenica Zheng Changlin, Liu Jike & Pi Nanlin, 1980 — SE Qinghai. O. t. sikimaria Thomas, 1922 — Sikkim (N India), W Bhutan, and adjacent Tibetan Plateau (China).