Ochotona argentata (Howell, 1928)

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 : 38

16.

Silver Pika

Ochotona argentata

French: Pika argenté / German: SilberPfeifhase / Spanish: Pica plateada

Other common names: Helan Shan Pika

Taxonomy. Ochotona (Pika) alpina argentata Howell, 1928 ,

“15 miles north-northwest of Ninghsia [Yinchuan], northern Kansu, China,” Ningxia, China .

According mtDNA and nDNA, O. argentata belongs to subgenus Pika. It was described as a subspecies of O. alpina . Study of mtDNA showed thatit is a sister species to O. pallasii; similarity with latter species was confirmed with craniometrical data. According to morphological study, it includes helanshanensis. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to C Helan Mts (Suyukou and surrounding areas) in Ningxia, NC China.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 200-240 mm, ear 22-29 mm, hindfoot 25-36 mm; weight 230-250 g. The Silver Pika is a large pika. Dorsal fur is pure red.

Ventral fur is white or light sandy; chest is ocherous. Winter dorsal fur is long, soft, and brownish gray, with yellow rump; belly is whitish or light sandy. Hairs above neck gland are brown. Ears are rounded, with faint light margins. Skull is medium-sized, with incisive and palatal foramens separated. Auditory bullae are relatively big and widely spaced. Condylobasal lengths are 45-47 mm, skull widths are 23-24 mm, and skull heights are 16-17 mm. Silver Pikas differ from all pikas by their bright red pelage and widely spaced auditory bullae.

Habitat. Known now from only one locality, living among stones from an old mine in a forest at elevations of 2000-2300 m.

Food and Feeding. The Silver Pika feeds on green plants and stores hay in burrows. There is one report of a hay pile inside a mine. Hay piles consist of several species of vascular plants, including sedges and grasses.

Breeding. Breeding ofthe Silver Pika starts in early April and lasts until August. Female breed once per year and have 2—4 embryos. Gestation is ¢.25 days.

Activity patterns. Silver Pikas are active in morning and evening. In winter, they vocalize during sunny middays.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Silver Pikas move openly upon rocks or inside mines. If disturbed, they escape quickly for 10-50 m. There is no insight on home range size or density, but T. Zheng in 1990 stated that 1-3 families live together in a mine. Areas occupied are marked with old hay piles and pellets. Silver Pikas vocalize, but this is little studied. A tunnel leads to the breeding nest, storage chambers, and latrines.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red Lust. Modern distribution of the Silver Pika covers a very limited area. Declining population is thought to be the result of deforestation.

Bibliography. Erbajeva & Ma Yong (2006), Formozov et al. (2004), Lissovsky (2014), Lissovsky et al. (2007), Zheng Tao (1990).

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)

Distribution. Endemic to C Helan Mts (Suyukou and surrounding areas) in Ningxia, NC China.