This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2020) |
Royle's pika (Ochotona roylei), also called the Himalayan hare or hui shutu, is a species of pika. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
| Royle's pika | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Lagomorpha |
| Family: | Ochotonidae |
| Genus: | Ochotona |
| Species: | O. roylei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ochotona roylei Ogilby, 1839
| |
| Subspecies | |
| |
| |
| Royle's pika range | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Taxonomy
editRoyle's pika was first described in 1839 as Lagomys roylei by Willam Ogilby, with the type locality being Choor Mountain in Himachal Pradesh.[2]
The subspecies O. r. himalayana, the Himalayan pika, was considered a distinct species for a brief period, but was reclassified as a subtaxon of O. roylei in 2014.[3]
Description
editThe most common pika species in the Himalayas, it has a length of 17-22 centimeters. Royle's pika has a slightly arched head, with a rufous-grey body and chestnut-colored head, as well as sparse hair in front of its ears.
Distribution and habitat
editOchotona roylei is the most common pika species in the Himalayas, and can be confused with the sympatric large-eared pika. These species are mostly seen in the open rocky mountain edges or slopes, or on ground covered with conifer trees, such as pine, deodar and rhododendron forests. Royle's pika are a crepuscular foraging species, as they tend to be inactive during midday hours. Reduction of activity during the midday is also contributed to increasing temperatures, which causes heat stress on the species.[4] During monsoon season, foraging is encouraged due to greater food availability. The species has also been found near human habitation. It does not make its own nest; rather, it takes narrow creeks and existing burrow systems as its nest, filling it with hay piles and pine leaves. It also uses the rocky areas on the mountains to take refuge and escape from predators.
Behavior and ecology
editOchotona roylei typically lives a solitary life, and across its range has a low population density. In the Nepal Himalayas, it occurs with a density of 12.5 individuals per hectare, and 16.2 per hectare in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is a synanthrope.[5]
Reproduction
editRoyle's pika produces 2 to 3 offspring per year.[1]
Conservation status
editThe International Union for Conservation of Nature considers Ochotona roylei to be a least-concern species. The size of its population is unknown, but it is considered to be stable and widespread throughout its range. Human logging and agricultural development contribute to habitat loss, but these are not considered major threats to the species and its recovery from climate-related population declines.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Smith, A.T. and Bhattacharyya, S. (2016). "Ochotona roylei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41268A45184591. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41268A45184591.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Lissovsky, A.A. (2016). 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. p. 57. ISBN 978-84-941892-3-4.
- ^ Lissovsky, A.A. (2014). "Taxonomic revision of pikas Ochotona (Lagomorpha, Mammalia) at the species level". Mammalia. 78 (2): 199–216. doi:10.1515/mammalia-2012-0134.
- ^ Bhattacharyya, S.; Adhikari, B. S.; Rawat, G. S. (2014). "Influence of microclimate on the activity of Royle's pika in the Western Himalaya". Zoological Studies. 53 (1). India. doi:10.1186/s40555-014-0073-8.
- ^ Bhattacharyya, Sabuj; Smith, Andrew T. (2018). "Ochotona roylei (Ogillby, 1839) Royle's Pika". In Smith, Andrew T.; Johnston, Charlotte H.; Alves, Paulo C.; Hackländer, Klaus (eds.). Lagomorphs: Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares of the World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 75–77. ISBN 978-1-4214-2341-8. LCCN 2017004268.
- Bhattacharyya, Sabuji (December 12, 2018). "Noninvasive sampling reveals population genetic structure in the Royle's pika,Ochotona roylei, in the western Himalaya". Ecology and Evolution. 9 (1). Retrieved October 15, 2020.