Brown and gray pika carrying flowers in its mouth
American pika (Ochotona princeps)

Ochotonidae is a family of small mammals in the order Lagomorpha. A member of this family is called an ochotonid or, colloquially, a pika. They are widespread throughout Asia and western North America, and are generally found in grassland, shrubland, and rocky biomes. Pikas are all roughly the same shape and size, with no tails, ranging from the 11 cm (4 in) long Gansu pika to the 29 cm (11 in) long northern pika. No species have population estimates and many have not yet had their conservation status evaluated, though the Helan Shan pika, Hoffmann's pika, Ili pika, and Koslov's pika are considered endangered.

The 29 extant species of Ochotonidae are contained within a single genus, Ochotona, though that genus is sometimes split into four subgenera: Alienauroa, Conothoa (mountain pikas), Ochotona (shrub-steppe pikas), and Pika (northern pikas). Many extinct Ochotonidae species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.[1]

Conventions

IUCN Red List categories
Conservation status
 EX Extinct (0 species)
 EW Extinct in the wild (0 species)
 CR Critically Endangered (0 species)
 EN Endangered (4 species)
 VU Vulnerable (0 species)
 NT Near threatened (0 species)
 LC Least concern (24 species)
Other categories
 DD Data deficient (1 species)
 NE Not evaluated (0 species)

Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the ochotonid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".

Classification

The family Ochotonidae consists of twenty-nine extant species in one genus which are divided into dozens of extant subspecies. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.

Ochotonids

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.[2]

Genus Ochotona – Link, 1795 – 29 species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Afghan pika

Drawing of brown pika

O. rufescens
(Gray, 1842)

Three subspecies
  • O. r. regina
  • O. r. rufescens
  • O. r. shukurovoi
Central Asia
Map of range 		Size: 15–24 cm (6–9 in) long[3]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and desert[4]

Diet: Herbs and shrubs[4] 		 LC 


Unknown Population steady[4]

Alpine pika

Brown and gray pika

O. alpina
(Pallas, 1773)

Four subspecies
  • O. a. alpina
  • O. a. changaica
  • O. a. cinereofusca
  • O. a. sushkini
Northeastern Asia
Map of range 		Size: 15–26 cm (6–10 in) long[5]

Habitat: Rocky areas[6]

Diet: Variety of plants[6] 		 LC 


Unknown Population steady[6]

American pika

Brown and gray pika

O. princeps
(Richardson, 1828)

Five subspecies
  • O. p. figginsi
  • O. p. princeps
  • O. p. saxatilis
  • O. p. schisticeps
  • O. p. taylori
Western North America
Map of range 		Size: 15–22 cm (6–9 in) long[7]

Habitat: Rocky areas[8]

Diet: Sedges, grass, forbs, and shrubs[7] 		 LC 


Unknown Population declining[8]

Chinese red pika

Drawing of brown and gray pikas

O. erythrotis
(Büchner, 1890) 		Central China
Map of range 		Size: 18–19 cm (7–7 in) long[9]

Habitat: Rocky areas[10]

Diet: Variety of plants[10] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[10]

Collared pika

Gray pika

O. collaris
(Nelson, 1893) 		Northwestern North America
Map of range 		Size: 14–21 cm (6–8 in) long[11]

Habitat: Rocky areas[12]

Diet: Variety of plants, as well as bird brains[12] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[12]

Daurian pika

Drawing of brown pika

O. dauurica
(Pallas, 1776)

Four subspecies
  • O. d. annectens
  • O. d. bedfordi
  • O. d. dauurica
  • O. d. mursavi
Northeastern Asia
Map of range 		Size: 17–22 cm (7–9 in) long[13]

Habitat: Grassland[14]

Diet: Shrubs, grass, legumes, and flowers[13] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[14]

Forrest's pika


O. forresti
Thomas, 1923 		Southeastern Asia
Map of range 		Size: 15–19 cm (6–7 in) long[15]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[16]

Diet: Variety of plants[16] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[16]

Gansu pika

Drawing of brown pikas

O. cansus
Lyon, 1907

Four subspecies
  • O. c. cansus
  • O. c. morosa
  • O. c. sorella
  • O. c. stevensi
Central China
Map of range 		Size: 11–17 cm (4–7 in) long[17]

Habitat: Shrubland and grassland[18]

Diet: Shrubs and other plants[18] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[18]

Glover's pika


O. gloveri
Thomas, 1922

Three subspecies
  • O. g. brookei
  • O. g. calloceps
  • O. g. gloveri
Central China
Map of range 		Size: 16–25 cm (6–10 in) long[19]

Habitat: Rocky areas[20]

Diet: Forbs, sedge, and grass[19] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[20]

Helan Shan pika


O. argentata
Howell, 1928 		Central China
Map of range 		Size: 20–24 cm (8–9 in) long[21]

Habitat: Rocky areas[22]

Diet: Variety of plants[22] 		 EN 


Unknown Population declining[22]

Hoffmann's pika


O. hoffmanni
Formozov, Yakhontov, Dmitriev, 1996 		Northern Mongolia
Map of range 		Size: 19–21 cm (7–8 in) long[23]

Habitat: Rocky areas[24]

Diet: Variety of plants[23] 		 EN 


Unknown Unknown[24]

Ili pika


O. iliensis
Li, Ma, 1986 		Western China
Map of range 		Size: 20–21 cm (8–8 in) long[25]

Habitat: Rocky areas[26]

Diet: Herbs and shrubs[25] 		 EN 


Unknown Population declining[26]

Kazakh pika


O. opaca
Argiropulo, 1930 		Central Asia Size: 17–22 cm (7–9 in) long[27]

Habitat: Grassland and rocky areas[28]

Diet: Shrubs, herbs, and grass[27] 		 LC 


Unknown Population steady[28]

Korean pika


O. coreana
Allen, Andrews, 1913 		North Korea and southeastern China Size: 16–21 cm (6–8 in) long[29]

Habitat: Rocky areas[30]

Diet: Herbs, shrubs, forbs, fungi, berries, seeds, and lichen[30] 		 DD 


Unknown Unknown[30]

Koslov's pika

Drawing of brown pika

O. koslowi
(Büchner, 1894) 		Western China
Map of range 		Size: 22–24 cm (9–9 in) long[31]

Habitat: Grassland[32]

Diet: Sedges and other plants[31] 		 EN 


Unknown Population declining[32]

Ladak pika

Brown pika

O. ladacensis
(Günther, 1875) 		Western China and northern India and Pakistan
Map of range 		Size: 18–25 cm (7–10 in) long[33]

Habitat: Grassland[34]

Diet: Shrubs, flowers, and roots[33] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[34]

Large-eared pika

Brown pika

O. macrotis
(Günther, 1875)

Five subspecies
  • O. m. auritus
  • O. m. chinensis
  • O. m. macrotis
  • O. m. sacana
  • O. m. wollastoni
Central Asia and central China
Map of range 		Size: 15–20 cm (6–8 in) long[35]

Habitat: Rocky areas[36]

Diet: Grass, legumes, sedges, herbs, berries, twigs, moss, and lichen[37] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[36]

Manchurian pika


O. mantchurica
Thomas, 1909 		Northeastern China Size: 13–22 cm (5–9 in) long[38]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and rocky areas[39]

Diet: Variety of plants[38] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[39]

Moupin pika


O. thibetana
(Milne-Edwards, 1871)

Five subspecies
  • O. t. nangqenica
  • O. t. osgoodi
  • O. t. sacraria (Sacred pika)
  • O. t. sikimaria (Sikkim pika)
  • O. t. thibetana
Central China
Map of range 		Size: 14–18 cm (6–7 in) long[40]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[41]

Diet: Variety of plants[41] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[41]

Northern pika

Brown pika

O. hyperborea
(Pallas, 1811)

Seven subspecies
  • O. h. cinereoflava
  • O. h. ferruginea
  • O. h. hyperborea
  • O. h. normalis
  • O. h. uralensis
  • O. h. yesoensis
  • O. h. yoshikurai
Northeastern Asia
Map of range 		Size: 13–29 cm (5–11 in) long[42]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and rocky areas[43]

Diet: Herbs, shrubs, forbs, fungi, berries, seeds, and lichen[42] 		 LC 


Unknown Population steady[43]

Nubra pika


O. nubrica
Thomas, 1922

Two subspecies
  • O. n. lhasaensis
  • O. n. nubrica
South Asia
Map of range 		Size: 14–19 cm (6–7 in) long[44]

Habitat: Shrubland and grassland[45]

Diet: Variety of plants[44] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[45]

Pallas's pika

Brown pika

O. pallasi
(Gray, 1867)

Four subspecies
  • O. p. hamica
  • O. p. pallasi
  • O. p. pricei
  • O. p. sunidica
Central and Eastern Asia
Map of range 		Size: 19–23 cm (7–9 in) long[46]

Habitat: Grassland and rocky areas[47]

Diet: Grass and herbs[48] 		 LC 


Unknown Population steady[47]

Plateau pika

Brown pikas

O. curzoniae
(Hodgson, 1858) 		Western China and Northern India
Map of range 		Size: 16–21 cm (6–8 in) long[29]

Habitat: Grassland and desert[49]

Diet: Variety of plants[49] 		 LC 


Unknown Population declining[49]

Royle's pika

Brown pika

O. roylei
(Ogilby, 1839)

Two subspecies
  • O. r. himalayana (Himalayan pika)
  • O. r. nepalensis
  • O. r. roylei
  • O. r. wardi
Western China and Northern India Size: 13–21 cm (5–8 in) long[50]

Habitat: Rocky areas[51]

Diet: Forbs, as well as other plants[50] 		 LC 


Unknown Population steady[51]

Steppe pika

Black and white drawing of a pika

O. pusilla
(Pallas, 1769)

Two subspecies
  • O. p. angustifrons
  • O. p. pusilla
Central Asia
Map of range 		Size: 15–21 cm (6–8 in) long[52]

Habitat: Shrubland and grassland[53]

Diet: Grass and above-ground vegetation[52] 		 LC 


Unknown Population declining[53]

Thomas's pika


O. thomasi
Argiropulo, 1948 		Central China
Map of range 		Size: 13–16 cm (5–6 in) long[54]

Habitat: Shrubland and grassland[55]

Diet: Variety of plants[55] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[55]

Tsing-ling pika


O. syrinx
Matschie, 1908 		Central China
Map of range 		Size: 13–18 cm (5–7 in) long[56]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[57]

Diet: Variety of plants[57] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[57]

Turkestan red pika

Brown pika with plants in its mouth

O. rutila
(Sévertsov, 1873) 		Central Asia
Map of range 		Size: 18–26 cm (7–10 in) long[58]

Habitat: Rocky areas[59]

Diet: Grass and other plants[59] 		 LC 


Unknown Population steady[59]

Turuchan pika

Brown and gray pika

O. turuchanensis
Naumov, 1934 		Central Russia
Map of range 		Size: 15–22 cm (6–9 in) long[60]

Habitat: Rocky areas[61]

Diet: Variety of plants[61] 		 LC 


Unknown Unknown[61]

References

  1. ^ "Fossilworks: Ochotonidae". Paleobiology Database. University of Wisconsin–Madison. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Wilson, Reeder, pp. 185–192
  3. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 77
  4. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Johnston, C. (2016). "Ochotona rufescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41269A45184750. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41269A45184750.en.
  5. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 31
  6. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Cook, J. (2016). "Ochotona alpina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41255A45182115. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41255A45182115.en.
  7. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, pp. 68–70
  8. ^ a b Smith, A. T. and Beever; E. (2016). "Ochotona princeps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41267A45184315. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41267A45184315.en.
  9. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 46
  10. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Lissovsky, A. (2016). "Ochotona erythrotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41260A45183115. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41260A45183115.en.
  11. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 36
  12. ^ a b c Lanier, H. and Hik; D. (2016). "Ochotona collaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41257A45182533. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41257A45182533.en.
  13. ^ a b Ciwko, Erin (2014). "Ochotona dauurica". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Smith, A. T.; Cook, J. (2016). "Ochotona dauurica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41259A45182905. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41259A45182905.en.
  15. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 47
  16. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Liu, S. (2016). "Ochotona forresti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T15048A45178927. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T15048A45178927.en.
  17. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 35
  18. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Liu, S. (2016). "Ochotona cansus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41256A45182335. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41256A45182335.en.
  19. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, pp. 48–49
  20. ^ a b Smith, A. T.; Liu, S. (2016). "Ochotona gloveri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41261A45183256. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41261A45183256.en.
  21. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 33
  22. ^ a b c Smith, 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.
  23. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 50
  24. ^ a b Smith, A. T. and Lissovsky; A. (2016). "Ochotona hoffmanni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T40800A45181807. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T40800A45181807.en.
  25. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 54
  26. ^ a b Li, W.; Smith, A. T. (2019). "Ochotona iliensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T15050A45179204. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T15050A45179204.en.
  27. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, pp. 63–64
  28. ^ a b Smith, A. T.; Lissovsky, A. (2016). "Ochotona opaca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T99892252A99892261. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T99892252A99892261.en.
  29. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 40
  30. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Jo, Y.-S. (2019) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Ochotona coreana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T87948071A161750319. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T87948071A161750319.en.
  31. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 56
  32. ^ a b Li, W.; Smith, A. T. (2019). "Ochotona koslowi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T15046A45178669. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T15046A45178669.en.
  33. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, pp. 57–58
  34. ^ a b Smith, A. T.; Li, W. (2016). "Ochotona ladacensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41264A45183725. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41264A45183725.en.
  35. ^ Jordan, Dana (2005). "Ochotona macrotis". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  36. ^ a b Smith, A. T.; Lissovsky, A. (2016). "Ochotona macrotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41265A45183918. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41265A45183918.en.
  37. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 59
  38. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, pp. 60–61
  39. ^ 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.
  40. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 83
  41. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Liu, S. (2016). "Ochotona thibetana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41271A45185018. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41271A45185018.en.
  42. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, pp. 51–52
  43. ^ a b Smith, A. T.; Lissovsky, A. (2016). "Ochotona hyperborea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T87948061A45183490. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T87948061A45183490.en.
  44. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 62
  45. ^ a b Smith, A. T.; Li, W. (2016). "Ochotona nubrica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T15051A45179343. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T15051A45179343.en.
  46. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 66
  47. ^ a b Lissovsky, A.; Smith, A. T. (2016). "Ochotona pallasii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T99890206A45184094. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T99890206A45184094.en.
  48. ^ DeMers, Anna (2007). "Ochotona pallasi". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  49. ^ a b c Smith, A. T. and Liu; S. (2019) [amended version of 2016 assessment]. "Ochotona curzoniae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T41258A160699229. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T41258A160699229.en.
  50. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, pp. 75–76
  51. ^ a b 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.
  52. ^ a b Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 73
  53. ^ a b Smith, A. T.; Lissovsky, A. (2016). "Ochotona pusilla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T15052A45179445. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T15052A45179445.en.
  54. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 84
  55. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Liu, S. (2019). "Ochotona thomasi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T15053A45179577. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T15053A45179577.en.
  56. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 82
  57. ^ a b c Smith, A. T. and Lissovsky; A. (2016). "Ochotona syrinx". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T87948175A87948187. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T87948175A87948187.en.
  58. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 80
  59. ^ a b c Smith, A. T.; Lissovsky, A. (2016). "Ochotona rutila". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41270A45184897. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41270A45184897.en.
  60. ^ Smith, Johnston, Alves, Hackländer, p. 86
  61. ^ a b c Smith, A. T. and Lissovsky; A. (2016). "Ochotona turuchanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41503A45194115. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41503A45194115.en.

Sources

Categories