Ochotona opaca (Argyropulo, 1939)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Ochotonidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 28-43 : 38

15.

Kazakh Pika

Ochotona opaca

French: Pika du Kazakhstan / German: Kasachstan-Pfeifhase / Spanish: Pica de Kazajistan

Taxonomy. Ochotona pricei opaca Argyropulo, 1939 ,

“us 6. Keneiickoi Bonoctu (ayn No 2) 0. Kapkapanunckoro ye3na” (= from former Kedeyskaya volost (aul 2) of former Karkaralinsk uyezd), Karkaraly District, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan.

According to mtDNA and nDNA, O. opaca belongs to subgenus Pika. It was listed as a subspecies of O. pallasii in all checklists. These two species, however, are paraphyletic relative to O. argentata after analysis of mtDNA and nDNA genes. V. G. Heptner in 1941 erroneously assigned the name pallasii to the Kazakh Pika, and this name was applied to the pika in all checklists. Morphological analysis of the holotype of pallasii revealed that it belongs to Pallas’s Pika. Monotypic.

Distribution. Kazakh uplands N, W & E of Lake Balkash in E Kazakhstan.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 150-200 mm, ear 17-23 mm, hindfoot 27-34 mm; weight 100-173 g. The Kazakh Pika is medium-sized. Dorsal fur is ocherous gray. Ventral fur is sandy or whitish. Winter dorsal fur is long, soft, and yellowish gray; belly is whitish. Hairs above neck gland form small brown patch. Ears are rounded, with light margins. Skull is medium-sized, with big orbits and incisive and palatal foramens separated. Auditory bullae are relatively big and spaced widely. Condylobasal lengths are 41-45 mm, skull widths are 23-24 mm, and skull heights are 15-17 mm. Morphological identification of Kazakh Pikas and Pallas’s Pikas (O. pallasii) is vague. Compared with sympatric Steppe Pikas ( O. pusilla ), skull of the Kazakh Pika is bigger and wider.

Habitat. Semi-deserts with rocks and shrub at elevations of 400-1000 m. The Kazakh Pika a burrowing species and uses rocks as shelters and observation points. In years of high density, Kazakh Pikas settle in adjacent areas without rocks or with corrals with stone fences.

Food and Feeding. The Kazakh Pika feeds on green plants. It usually consumes herbs surrounding its burrow, but individual selectivity of some plant species is common. The Kazakh Pika stores hay in hay piles; hay hoarding starts in May-June. Hay piles weigh 0.2-20 kg. Each pile consists of ¢.9 plant species; composition varies among individuals. Hay piles are usually situated under large flat stones or near burrow entrances, often under cover of bushes. The Kazakh Pika presses hay with small stones during windy weather. In winter and spring,it feeds on hay but also uses dry vegetation. When possible, the Kazakh Pika feeds on ephemeral vegetation.

Breeding. Breeding of the Kazakh Pika starts in April and lasts 2-3 months. Adult females breed 2-3 times. Young females can breed in the year of their birth, but young males do not participate in breeding. Each female has 2-13 embryos. Gestation is 25-26 days, and neonates are bare and born with their eyes closed. Fur appears on the second day; eyes open after 9-10 days. Lactation lasts c.18 days.

Activity patterns. During warm periods, the Kazakh Pika is active day and night, avoiding midday heat. Calls can be heard at night during reproductive and hoarding periods.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Kazakh Pikas move openly on aboveground and often use large flat stones for observation and sunbathing. Home ranges are 4200-5200 m? for males and 600-1300 m* for females. Males and females defending core areas of ¢.200 m*. Home range of one male overlaps home ranges of several females. Densities are 270-4100 ind/km?. Population dynamics show sharp seasonal and annual oscillations of 10-100 times. Areas occupied have well marked systems of trails and piles of pellets. The Kazakh Pika has well-developed vocalization that includes alarm calls and songs produced by both sexes. It sings throughout the warm season. Singing is accompanied by characteristic posture. Kazakh Pikas dig temporary and breeding burrows. Breeding burrows have 2-3 breeding chambers,several blind branches often used as latrines, and 2-12 entrances. Depth is usually 10-50 cm depending on soil type, and burrows coverl0-15 m®. Apart of burrows, Kazakh Pikas actively use hollows and crevices in rocks as shelters and storage areas. In winter, Kazakh Pikas build nests under snow.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List (as O. pallasu pallasii).

Bibliography. Heptner (1941), Proskurina et al. (1985), Sludskiy et al. (1980), Smirnov (1972).

Figures

15. Kazakh Pika (Ochotona opaca), 16. Silver Pika (Ochotona argentata), 17. American Pika (Ochotona princeps), 18. Collared Pika (Ochotona collaris), 19. Steppe Pika (Ochotona pusilla), 20. Large-eared Pika (Ochotona macrotis), 21. Royle’s Pika (Ochotona roylu), 22. Afghan Pika (Ochotona rufescens), 23. Forrest's Pika (Ochotona forrest), 24. Ladak Pika (Ochotona ladacensis), 25. Turkestan Red Pika (Ochotona rutila), 26. Kozlov’s Pika (Ochotona koslowi), 27. Chinese Red Pika (Ochotona erythrotis), 28. Glover’s Pika (Ochotona gloveri), 29. Ili Pika (Ochotona iliensis)

Distribution. Kazakh uplands N, W & E of Lake Balkash in E Kazakhstan.