Chinese red pika

Chinese red pika
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Ochotonidae
Genus: Ochotona
Species: O. erythrotis
Binomial name
Ochotona erythrotis
(Büchner, 1890)
Chinese red pika range

The Chinese red pika (Ochotona erythrotis) is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. Typical of a pika it has short limbs, a small tail and round ears. Specific to the Chinese red pika has distinctive red color in its pelt.[2] The Chinese pika typically lives in rocky terrain at altitudes between 600–1200 meters.[3] and is endemic to the East Qinghai, West Gansu and Northern Sichuan provinces of China and Eastern Tibet.[4]

Description

The Chinese Red Pika is one of the largest pika species,[5] averaging a length of 18 to 29 cm.[6] This pika has both a winter and summer pelt. The winter pelt is thicker for the cooler weather, and is a grey color with a slight tint of red in the ear region. In the summer, this species has a coat that is a rusty-red color at the head and chest and progressively becomes more grey at the tail end of the animal. The stomach region of O. erythrotis is a white color in both pelts.[5]

Speciation

The Chinese red pika was formerly regarded as a subgenus of Pika, included first with Ochotona gloveri and later with Ochotona rutila until they were determined to be separate species (mammal species). The pika species O. gloveri is believed to be the closest relative to O. erythrotis. The two species are considered to have an allopatric relationship.[5] Differences between O. erythrotic, O. gloveri, and O. rutila are primarily seen in the shape of the skull and in fur color. The Chinese Red Pika has larger auditory bullae, a shorter nasals cavity, and a broader rostrum than O. gloveri.[5] It has a smaller, and more arched skull than O. rutila and additionally has frontal fenestrae.[5] Additionally, these subspecies have different fur colorations. O. gloveri has darker fur than O. erythrotis. Its summer fur is darker with more of a brown tint with a distinct rusty red color on the nose, forehead and ear region. In the winter, its coat is much lighter than O. erythrotis.[7]

Reproduction

Ochotona erythrotis have an average of two litters per year, usually averaging 3-7 young per litter.[8] Their reproductive season is between May and August.[8]

Geography

Ochotona erythrotis is found in China and East Tibet. Specifically in China, O. erythrotis can be found in East Qinghai, West Gansu and Northern Sichuan.[4]

Habitat

The Chinese Red Pika is primarily a rock-dwelling pika. It can be found in cliff and rock terrain [5] or in the alpine shrubland and meadows near rock formations[8] primarily at an altitude of 600–1,200 metres (2,000–3,900 ft).[3] This species has been observed to be adaptable and opportunistic in where it lives. This pika species is a burrowing species, which makes burrows that are 1–2 meters in length.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H. (2008). Ochotona erythrotis. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 10 April 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern.
  2. ↑ Chapman, J.A., Flux, J.C.E. 1990, "Rabbits, Hares and Pikas:Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland
  3. 1 2 Smith, Andrew T. "Pika". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2013-08-15
  4. 1 2 Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. eds by Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ochotona erythrotis - Chinese Red pika. “Wildpro - The Electronic Encyclopaedia and Library for Wildlife.”
  6. ↑ Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H. 2008. Ochotona erythrotis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>.
  7. ↑ Yu, N. Zheng, C. Shi, L. (1997). “Variation in Mitochondrial DNA and Phylogeny of Six Species of Pikas (OCHOTONA).” Journal of Mammalogy, American Society of Mammalogists.
  8. 1 2 3 Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H. 2008. Ochotona erythrotis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>.
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