The Ili pika (''Ochotona iliensis'') is a species of

mammal Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, a neocortex (a region of the brain), fur or ...

in the family Ochotonidae, endemic to northwest China. After its discovery in 1983, it was not documented again until 2002. Increased temperatures, likely from global warming, and increased grazing pressure may have caused the rapid decline in population. The Ili pika population is declining and is currently considered to be

endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inva ...

, with approximately fewer than 1,000 left.

Description

The Ili pika somewhat resembles a short-eared rabbit. It is large for a

pika A pika ( or ; archaically spelled pica) is a small, mountain-dwelling mammal found in Asia and North America. With short limbs, very round body, an even coat of fur, and no external tail, they resemble their close relative, the rabbit, but wi ...

, with a length of and a weight of up to . It has brightly colored hair and displays large rusty-red spots on forehead, crown, and the sides of the neck.

Range

It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to the

Tian Shan The Tian Shan,, , otk, 𐰴𐰣 𐱅𐰭𐰼𐰃, , tr, Tanrı Dağı, mn, Тэнгэр уул, , ug, تەڭرىتاغ, , , kk, Тәңіртауы / Алатау, , , ky, Теңир-Тоо / Ала-Тоо, , , uz, Tyan-Shan / Tangritog‘ ...

mountains of northwest

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of va ...

province

Xinjiang Xinjiang, SASM/GNC: ''Xinjang''; zh, c=, p=Xīnjiāng; formerly romanized as Sinkiang (, ), officially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China (PRC), located in the northwest ...

. A recent census indicated that the Ili pika may have been

extirpated Local extinction, also known as extirpation, refers to a species (or other taxon) of plant or animal that ceases to exist in a chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere. Local extinctions are contrasted with global extinct ...

from the Jilimalale and Hutubi South Mountains.

Ecology

The Ili pika inhabits talus slopes at high elevations, usually from about 2,800 to 4,100 meters. This species constructs haypiles and is a generalized

herbivore A herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example foliage or marine algae, for the main component of its diet. As a result of their plant diet, herbivorous animals typically have mouthpart ...

. It primarily feeds on grasses and herbs. It occupies slightly sloping high rock walls or cliff faces interlaced with gaps or holes that serve as dens. Almost nothing is known about the ecology or behavior of the species. The Ili pika has low population densities. It is mostly a diurnal species, but may exhibit nocturnal activity. Only one to two litters are produced each year, but litter size for this species is unknown. The Ili pika is similar to other rock-dwelling pikas in that they are asocial creatures, however, they are less likely to utter vocalizations. Also, the Ili pika varies the percent of time it is active during the day or night based on seasons. During the winter season, they are more active during the day while during the spring and fall, they are more active at night.

Conservation

The species was first observed by conservationist Li Weidong in 1983. After three years of research, Li and his team named it the Ili pika, after the area where it is found, the

Ili Prefecture Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture ( kk, Іле Қазақ автономиялық облысы) (also as Yili) is an autonomous prefecture for Kazakh people in Northern Xinjiang, China, one of five autonomous prefectures in Xinjiang. Yining Cit ...

on the far west side of China's

province. The animal was not documented again until May 2014 (again by Li). Up to 2015, a total of 29 live sightings were reported. There were three specimens captured that were observed and used to describe the species in 1986. Additionally, There were studies conducted within the decade to learn more about the species. These studies involved physical presence in the sites where Ili pikas had been thought to be present. These studies were not successful since there were few to no pika's available at various sites. Its population has been reduced by 70% within 15 years. Population declines have been observed for several locations inhabited by this species. A recent census indicated that the Ili pika may have been extirpated from the Jilimalale and Hutubi South Mountains. Populations have declined in the regions of Jipuk, Tianger Apex, and Telimani Daban. Only one examined site, the Bayingou region of Xinjiang Uygur, showed signs of previously observed abundance. An estimated 2,000 mature individuals existed in the early 1990s. The exact causes for recently observed population declines are not known with certainty, but it is speculated that an increase in grazing pressure and global atmospheric pollution resulting in climate change are negatively affecting populations. It has been suggested that a warming climate has increased the presence of vegetation and animal species from lower elevations in the pika's habitat, leading to a larger number of attendant predators (e.g. foxes) to which pika populations had not so far been exposed. Researchers also believe that some other reasons for the decline in the Ila pika population may be disease throughout the species or increased human activity in the area. Low population densities and reproductive rates coupled with the relatively limited ability to disperse impede the ability of the species to recover from declines. One study of captive animals suggests that the species has some capacity to adapt its feeding habits to lower elevations. There are no known conservation measures in place for the Ili pika.

References

External links