Ochotona mantchurica (Thomas, 1909)

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 : 34-35

11.

Manchurian Pika

Ochotona mantchurica

French: Pika de Mandchourie / German: Manschurischer Pfeifhase / Spanish: Pica de Manchuria

Other common names: Skorodumov's Pika (scorodumovi)

Taxonomy. Ochotona (Pika) hyperborea mantchurica Thomas, 1909 ,

“Khingan... at the point where the Siberian Railway cuts the range,” Bokhedu, Yakeshi City District, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia (=Nei Mongol), China .

According to mtDNA and nDNA, O. mantchurica belongs to subgenus Pika. Three populations of O. mantchurica were considered as parts of different species by different authors. Pikas from Shilka and Argun rivers interfluves were known as a subspecies of O. alpina ; pikas from Greater Khingan Range were always listed as a subspecies of O. hyperborea ; and pikas from Lesser Khingan Range were considered to be O. hyperborea by Russian authors and O. alpina by Chinese authors. All three populations were found to be the same species on the basis of morphological and partly genetic and bioacoustic features. Ochotona mantchurica is closely related species to O. hyperborea and O. hoffmanni ; these three species represent allospecies. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

O.m.mantchuricaThomas,1909—GreaterKhinganRangeandNpartofLesserKhinganRangeinNEInnerMongoliaandNHeilongjiang,China.

O.m.scorodumoviSkalon,1934—ShilkaandArgunriversinterfluvesintheSETransbaikalia,Russia.

O. m. loukashkini Lissovsky, 2015 — S part of Lesser Khingan Range, China.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 140-220 mm, ear 17-26 mm, hindfoot 22-32 mm; weight 110-260 g. The Manchurian Pika is medium-sized. Dorsal fur is ocherous brown or reddish brown with dark dorsal stripe; general color of some populations is mixed with black hair tips. Ventral fur is ocherous. Winter fur is grayish brown; ventral fur is sandy or light ocherous. Hairs above neck gland are brown. Ears are rounded, with white margins. Skull is medium-sized and stout with incisive and palatal foramens separated. Auditory bullae are medium-sized. Condylobasal lengths are 37-46 mm; skull widths are 19-23 mm, and skull heights are 13-16 mm. The Manchurian Pika has greater mandible height compared with the Northern Pika ( Ochotona hyperborea ).

Habitat. Large vegetation-free and small overgrown talus slopes at elevations of 400-1300 m. Surrounding environment varies from dry steppe and broad-leaved forest to taiga and mountain tundra. The Manchurian Pika is a typical rock dweller that lives in hollows and crevices among stones.

Food and Feeding. The Manchurian Pika feeds on green plants and stores hay in piles, beginning in July. Hay piles are usually situated under stones or fallen trees.

Breeding. Breeding of the Manchurian Pika started in May, pregnant females were found in June-July, and there was no evidence that females bred twice a year. Each female has 2-6 embryos.

Activity patterns. The Manchurian Pika is diurnal and avoids midday heat and windy periods. Surface activity and call frequencies of Manchurian Pikas are lower than those of Northern Pikas. In winter, the Manchurian Pika rarely emerges aboveground and moves in snow tunnels.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Manchurian Pika moves aboveground by running and leaping openly. Densities of the Manchurian Pika are comparable with the Northern Pika. Areas occupied by Manchurian Pikas have well-marked trails, latrines, and old hay piles. Manchurian Pikas use the same type of call for alarm and roll calls. Nests of Manchurian Pikas are under stones.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (as O. hyperborea mantchurica ).

Bibliography. Lissovsky (2005, 2015), Lissovsky, Ivanova & Borisenko (2007), Lissovsky, Yang Qisen & Pil’'nikov (2008), Loukashkin (1940), Melo-Ferreira et al. (2015), Ognev (1940), Skalon (1934).

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.m.mantchuricaThomas,1909—GreaterKhinganRangeandNpartofLesserKhinganRangeinNEInnerMongoliaandNHeilongjiang,China. O.m.scorodumoviSkalon,1934—ShilkaandArgunriversinterfluvesintheSETransbaikalia,Russia. O. m. loukashkini Lissovsky, 2015 — S part of Lesser Khingan Range, China.