Manchurian pika

Manchurian pika
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Ochotonidae
Genus: Ochotona
Species:
O. mantchurica
Binomial name
Ochotona mantchurica
(Thomas, 1909)
Manchurian pika distribution

The Manchurian pika (Ochotona mantchurica) is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is found in the mountains of northeastern China in Inner Mongolia, specifically the Lesser and Greater Khingan ranges, as well as parts of Zabaykalsky Krai. It is rated as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species.[1]

Taxonomy

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The Manchurian pika was originally divided into different classifications based on its populations' distribution, with those in Russia described as alpine pikas (O. alpina) and those elsewhere (which make up most of the nominative form) described as northern pikas (O. hyperborea). The species is on a whole closely related to both the northern pika and Hoffmann's pika (O. hoffmanni). It is separated from the former despite their nearly-overlapping distributions by its large skull, relative to other pikas.[2]

Subspecies

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Three subspecies have been identified:[2]

  • Ochotona mantchurica mantchurica (Thomas, 1909)

This subspecies is restricted to the Greater Khingan Range and the northern part of the Lesser Khingan Range.[3]

  • Ochotona mantchurica scorodumovi (Skalon, 1935)[4]

Also known as Skorodumov's pika, this subspecies is found in southeast Transbaikal.[3]

  • Ochotona mantchurica loukashkini (Lissovsky, 2015)[5]

This subspecies is found in the southern part of the Lesser Khingan Range.[3]

Description

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The Manchurian pika is a pika of medium size. As an adult, its weight ranges from 110 to 260 grams (0.24 to 0.57 lb) and its combined head and body length averages from 140 to 220 millimetres (5.5 to 8.7 in). Typically, its fur is a reddish or ocherous brown, having a dark stripe along its upper back. Its winter coat is a greyish brown. It has rounded ears, which have a white margin around the edges. The Manchurian pika is distinguishable from the northern pika (O. hyperborea) by its elevated mandibles.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Smith, A.T.; Lissovsky, A. (2016). "Ochotona mantchurica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T87948094A87948100. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T87948094A87948100.en. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b Smith, Andrew T.; Johnston, Charlotte H.; Alves, Paulo C.; Hackländer, Klaus, eds. (2018). "Ochotona mantchurica Thomas, 1909 Manchurian Pika". Lagomorphs: Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares of the World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-1-4214-2341-8. LCCN 2017004268.
  3. ^ a b c d Lissovsky, A.A. (2016). "Family Ochotonidae (Pikas). Species Accounts: Manchurian pika Ochotona mantchurica". In Wilson, D.E.; Lacher, T.E.; Mittermeier, R.A. (eds.). Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol. 6. Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 51–52. ISBN 978-84-941892-3-4.
  4. ^ "ITIS - Report: Ochotona mantchurica scorodumovi". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  5. ^ Lissovsky, A.A. (2015-12-22). "A new subspecies of Manchurian pika Ochotona mantchurica (Lagomorpha, Ochotonidae) from the Lesser Khinggan Range, China" (PDF). Russian Journal of Theriology. 14 (2): 145–152. doi:10.15298/rusjtheriol.14.2.03. ISSN 1682-3559.