Thomas's pika

Thomas's pika
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Lagomorpha
Family:	Ochotonidae
Genus:	Ochotona
Species:	O. thomasi
Binomial name
	Ochotona thomasi; Argyropulo, 1948
	Thomas's pika range
Synonyms
	O. ciliana Bannikov, 1940;

Thomas's pika (Ochotona thomasi), also known as the Thomas-pika,

least concern

in 2008.

Taxonomy

Thomas's pika is a

Ochotona cansus), with a similar greatest skull length, but can be distinguished by its smaller skull and cheek bone width. In 1974, Feng and Kao synonymised O. t. cilanica Bannikov 1960^[6] with Ochotona thomasi.^[4] According to Mammal Species of the World, O. ciliana Bannikov, 1940 is currently its only synonym.^[2]

Description

Thomas's pika measures 10.5 to 16.5 cm (4.1 to 6.5 in) in length, and weighs 45 to 110 g (1.6 to 3.9 oz). The fragile skull is broader anteriorly, and smaller, flatter, and narrower than other pika species. The greatest skull length is 3.3 to 3.7 cm (1.3 to 1.5 in). The

underparts are yellow tinged or light white in colour. The winter dorsal pelage is mouse grey in colour, and the hairs have noticeable black tips. The hindfeet are 2.2 to 2.9 cm (0.87 to 1.14 in) long.^[7]

Distribution and habitat

Endemic to China, Thomas's pika is rare,^[1] and no intensive population studies have been conducted.^[8] It is found on the secluded mountains of the eastern Qilian Mountain range in Qinghai, Gansu, and northwestern Sichuan.^[1]

It inhabits meadows and isolated hilly, shrubby forests of

Salix),^[7] at elevations between 3,400 metres (11,200 ft) and 4,020 metres (13,190 ft) from sea level.^[1]

Thomas's pika is

Ochotona thibetana) but there is no overlap in the ranges of Thomas's and Moupin pikas.^[4]

Behavior and ecology

Thomas's pika is a diurnal^[1] burrowing species.^[4] It is a generalist herbivore, and may live in small family groups.^[1] Although its ecology is not well known, it is thought to be similar to that of the Gansu pika.^[7] Details about its behaviour and reproduction are also unknown.^[4]

Status and conservation

In 1994, Thomas's pika was assessed as insufficiently known on the

least concern. This is because, although very little is known about its status, it is a widespread species. The current state of its population trend is unclear. It may be affected by killing due to pest control measures in its range although its effects to the species is unknown. There are no conservation measures to protect Thomas's pika.^[1]^[8]

References

Citations

^
doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T15053A45179577.en
. Retrieved 17 November 2021.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Hoffmann & Smith 2005, p. 193
^ Wrobel 2007, p. 355.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Chapman & Flux 1990, p. 53.
^ Beolens, Watkins & Grayson 2009, p. 411.
^ Bannikov, A. G. (1960). "Notes on the mammals of Nienshan and the south Gobi area (China)". Byulleten Moskovskogo Obshchestva Is-pytatelei Prirody Otdel Biologicheskii. 65: 5–12.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Smith et al. 2010, pp. 286-287.
^ ^a ^b Alves, Ferrand & Hacklände 2008, p. 308.
^ "Categories and Criteria (version 3.1)". www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 28 October 2017.

Bibliography

Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals.
ISBN 9780801895333
.

Alves, Paulo C.; Ferrand, Nuno; Hacklände, Klaus, eds. (2008). Lagomorph Biology: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation. Berlin New York:
ISBN 978-3-540-72446-9
.

Chapman, Joseph A.; Flux, John E.C., eds. (1990). Rabbits, Hares and Pikas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Gland, Switzerland:
ISBN 9782831700199
. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

Hoffman, R.S.; Smith, A.T. (2005). "Order Lagomorpha". In
OCLC 62265494
.

Smith, Andrew T.; Xie, Yan; Hoffmann, Robert S.; Lunde, Darrin; MacKinnon, John; Wilson, Don E.; Wozencraft, W. Chris (2010). A Guide to the Mammals of China.
ISBN 978-1400834112
.

Wrobel, Murray, ed. (2007). Elsevier's Dictionary of Mammals: in Latin, English, German, French and Italian. Amsterdam Boston:
ISBN 9780080488820
.

External links

Dinets, Vladimir. "China, part 7 of 14" (Photograph).
"Ochotona thomasi". WildPro. There is very little reported data on this specific species so the data below is taken from general pika information.
"Thomas's pika — Ochotona thomasi". Encyclopedia of Life.

[iucn_status_17_November_2021-1] 
doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T15053A45179577.en
. Retrieved 17 November 2021.

[MSW3-2] Hoffmann & Smith 2005, p. 193

[FOOTNOTEWrobel2007[httpsbooksgooglecombooksidQn1A9Y1OA2oCpgPA355_355]-3] Wrobel 2007, p. 355.

[FOOTNOTEChapmanFlux1990[httpsbooksgooglecombooksidQ994k86i0zYCpgPA53_53]-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Chapman & Flux 1990, p. 53.

[FOOTNOTEBeolensWatkinsGrayson2009[httpsbooksgooglecombooksidI-kSmWLc6vYCpgPA411_411]-5] Beolens, Watkins & Grayson 2009, p. 411.

[6] Bannikov, A. G. (1960). "Notes on the mammals of Nienshan and the south Gobi area (China)". Byulleten Moskovskogo Obshchestva Is-pytatelei Prirody Otdel Biologicheskii. 65: 5–12.

[FOOTNOTESmithXieHoffmannLunde2010[httpsbooksgooglecombooksidka-9f68nPT4CpgPA286_286-287]-7] Smith et al. 2010, pp. 286-287.

[FOOTNOTEAlvesFerrandHacklände2008[httpsbooksgooglecombooksid9d8_AAAAQBAJpgPA308_308]-8] Alves, Ferrand & Hacklände 2008, p. 308.

[9] "Categories and Criteria (version 3.1)". www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 28 October 2017.

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