Moupin pika
The Moupin pika ( Ochotona thibetana ) is a mammal of the family of pikas ( Ochotonidae ) among lagomorphs ( Lagomorpha ). Its distribution area is located in the region of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas in parts of the People's Republic of China, India, Bhutan and the extreme north of Myanmar.
Features
The Moupin pika is a relatively small pika with a body length from 14 to 18 centimeters and a weight 72-136 grams, so that it is slightly larger than Ochotona cansus. He has in summer a sandy brown, dark red to dark brown fur or teebraunes, the colorations may vary regionally. On the neck there is a clear sand brown collar that continues into the middle of the ventral side. The belly is otherwise matt gray, matt gray yellow, ocher or white. The ears are dark brown with a narrow white border. In winter, the back color is dull brown to beige. The ears grow to a length from 17 to 23 millimeters, the hind feet are 24 to 32 millimeters long and slightly hairy on the underside.
The skull is in relation to body size is comparatively large. Compared to Ochotona cansus slightly larger with more zygoma. The incisor and palatal window go with this type over another and form a common window. The tympanic bladder is made large. In profile, the skull is pear-shaped, slightly wider than that of Ochotona cansus.
Dissemination
The Moupin pika lives in the region of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas in parts of the People's Republic of China, India, Bhutan and the extreme north of Myanmar. In China, the distribution is limited to the provinces of Qinghai, Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu and southern Tibet, in India the kind only comes with the Untertart O. c. sikimaria before in the state of Sikkim.
The height distribution of animals is typically 2400-4100 meters, the species was, however, also been documented at altitudes of 1800 meters.
Way of life
The habitat of the Moupin - pikas consists mainly of rhododendron and bamboo forests in moderate altitudes up to the high altitude forests and rocky areas under forests. The animals live in simple, self-dug buildings. They are diurnal and partly nocturnal and feed on generalist plant parts that they layers like other pikas to haystack.
The breeding season extends from April to July. The females give birth during this time several litters each with 1-5 pups born.
System
The Moupin pika is assigned as an independent species the pikas ( genus Ochotona ) and the subgenus Ochotona. Historically associated with several now recognized as a distinct species taxa Ochotona thibetana with Ochotona cansus, Ochotona forresti, Ochotona huangensis and Ochotona nubrica.
Five subspecies are distinguished, the nominate O. t. thibetana, O. t. nangqenica, O. t. osgoodi, O. t. sacraria and O. c. sikimaria. O. t. osgoodi has been described both as a separate species, as well as Ochotona pusilla assigned as the subspecies. The isolated living resources of O. c. sikimaria were formerly assigned to Ochotona cansus and could also constitute a separate species.
Threats and conservation
The species is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN) due to their large distribution area as not at risk ( least concern ). The Moupin pika is true in most parts of its range as often and in portions of their range, especially in the province of Gansu, he is regarded as a pest and fights. As a possible threat to the populations of the species, especially deforestation of large areas in China is assumed.
The limited to the Indian state of Sikkim subspecies O. c. sikimaria is threatened by the decline of available habitats, and especially by the destruction of Rhododendron stocks due to the spread of agricultural land and settlement areas.