Helan Shan pika
| Helan Shan pika | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Lagomorpha |
| Family: | Ochotonidae |
| Genus: | Ochotona |
| Species: | O. argentata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ochotona argentata Howell, 1928
| |
| |
| Helan Shan pika range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Ochotona helanshanensisZheng, 1987 (found in Wang 1990) | |
TheHelan Shan pikaorsilver pika(Ochotona argentata) is a species ofmammalin thepikafamily,Ochotonidae.It isendemictoChinawhere it is found in a small region of theHelan Mountains.It is listed as "Endangered"in theIUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesas of 2016.
Description
[edit]Like other pikas, the Helan Shan pika has long, soft grayish-brown fur. It is related to rabbits and hares but unlike those animals, the limbs are all about the same length. The ears are small and rounded and the feet are covered with fur.[2]It grows to a length of about 22 cm (9 in).[1]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The Helan Shan pika is known only from the Helan Mountains in theInner Mongolian Autonomous Regionof China which lie between the semi-aridOrdos Desertand theYellow RiverValley to the east and theBadain Jaran Desertto the west. Upland areas are clad in coniferous forests of dragon spruce (Picea asperata) with a lower layer ofbirch(Betulaspp.) andpoplar(Populusspp.). On the more exposed, open slopes,scrubspecies include theManchu rose(Rosa xanthina),Caraganaspp., theGansu elm(Ulmus glaucescens), thehazel-hornbeam(Ostryopsis davidiana), theyellowhorn(Xanthoceras sorbifolia) and thetemple juniper(Juniperus rigida).[3]The Helan Shan pika occupies rocky outcrops among the trees and scrub and has been found up to 20 metres (66 ft) deep in the entrances of disused mines.[1]
Biology
[edit]The Helan Shan pika lives among boulders and scree and makes its home deep in the crevices between stones. It is aherbivoreand feeds on grass and other vegetation which it gathers in meadow areas adjoining the scree. It does nothibernateand, to help provide for the winter when food is scarce, it makes "haypiles" of dried grass and foliage during the summer and stores them underground.[2]
Status
[edit]The Helan Shan pika is known only from a high altitude site of 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi) in a single mountain range in China. Its population size is unknown but is likely to be decreasing as a result of logging activities within its range resulting in loss of habitat. It cannot tolerate high temperatures and any warming of the climate is likely to have negative impacts on the species. For these reasons, theIUCNin its Red List of Threatened Species lists this animal as being "Endangered".[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdSmith, A.T.; Li, W. (2016)."Ochotona argentata".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2016:e.T41986A45194521.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41986A45194521.en.Retrieved12 November2021.
- ^abSmith, Andrew T."Pika".Encyclopædia Britannica.Retrieved2013-08-22.
- ^Carpenter, Chris (2013)."Helanshan montane conifer forests".Ecoregions.World Wildlife Fund.Retrieved2013-08-22.