Ochotona gloveri, Thomas, 1922

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 : 43

28.

Glover’s Pika

Ochotona gloveri

French: Pika de Glover / German: GloverPfeifhase / Spanish: Pica de Glover

Other common names: Muli Pika (muliensis form)

Taxonomy. Ochotona gloveri Thomas, 1922 ,

“Nagchuka, 10,000,” Yajiang County, Garzé Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China.

According to mtDNA fragment analysis, O. glover: belongs to subgenus Conothoa. Scarce data of mtDNA shows that O. gloveri . and O. erythrotis are sister species. Although specimens of O. gloveriwere known since 1880s and were included in the type series of O. erythrotis , it was not described until 40 years later. Main reasons were cranial similarity between these two species, and color variation in pelage of O. gloveri and identity of winter pelages of O. gloveri and O. erythrotis . As a result, some authors united these two species together or included them in O. rutila , which was shown to be morphologically distinct, distributed very far from O. gloveri , and not a sister species to O. gloveriand O. erythrotis . According to morphological study, O. gloveriincludes brookei, calloceps, kamensis, and muliensis. Provisional subspecies are recognized here, but they need further revision. Ochotona gloveri and O. erythrotis are allopatric. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

0. g. gloveri Thomas, 1922 — upper part of Yangtze and Mekong basins in SW Qinghai and NE Tibet (=Xizang), SC China.

0. g. calloceps Pen Hungshou et al., 1962 — middle part of Yangtze and Mekong basins in C Sichuan and NW Yunnan, S China.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 170-250 mm, ear 24-37 mm, hindfoot 28-43 mm; weight 125-350 g. Glover’s Pika is a large pika. Pelage is very variable across its distribution. Dorsal fur varies from gray to brown, with muzzle and ears rufous and a dark mask. Ventral fur is grayish. Winter furis longer, softer, and duller than during other seasons. Ears are large and rounded, with faint white margins. Skull is large, and incisive and palatal foramens can be confluent or separated. Pair of foramensis usually situated on frontal bones;this feature is not stable. Auditory bullae are medium-sized. Condylobasal lengths are 41-49 mm, skull widths are 22-25 mm, and skull heights are 16-18 mm. Bright-colored Glover’s Pikas could be confused with Chinese Red Pikas (O. erythrotis) during molt. Glover's Pika has gray cheeksin all seasons that can be used for identification in all seasons except winter.

Habitat. Talus and rocks from forest to subalpine areas at elevations of 2200-4300 m. Glover's Pika is a cliff-associated species.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. Breeding of Glover’s Pika seems to be nearly year-round, probably depending on exact locations. Young Glover’s Pikas were recorded in August-December; subadult pikas were recorded in April-December.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but judging from scarce photographs, Glover’s Pika is active during the day.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List, the form muliensis (the “Muli Pika”) was classified as Data Deficient, but it is not recognized here.

Bibliography. Bichner (1890), Feng Zuojian & Zheng Changlin (1985), Lissovsky (2014), Melo-Ferreira et al. (2015), NiuYidong et al. (2004), Pen Hungshou et al. (1962), Zheng Changlin (1989).

Figures

15. Kazakh Pika (Ochotona opaca), 16. Silver Pika (Ochotona argentata), 17. American Pika (Ochotona princeps), 18. Collared Pika (Ochotona collaris), 19. Steppe Pika (Ochotona pusilla), 20. Large-eared Pika (Ochotona macrotis), 21. Royle’s Pika (Ochotona roylu), 22. Afghan Pika (Ochotona rufescens), 23. Forrest's Pika (Ochotona forrest), 24. Ladak Pika (Ochotona ladacensis), 25. Turkestan Red Pika (Ochotona rutila), 26. Kozlov’s Pika (Ochotona koslowi), 27. Chinese Red Pika (Ochotona erythrotis), 28. Glover’s Pika (Ochotona gloveri), 29. Ili Pika (Ochotona iliensis)

Subspecies and Distribution. 0. g. gloveri Thomas, 1922 — upper part of Yangtze and Mekong basins in SW Qinghai and NE Tibet (=Xizang), SC China. 0. g. calloceps Pen Hungshou et al., 1962 — middle part of Yangtze and Mekong basins in C Sichuan and NW Yunnan, S China.