Some ochotonid species are considered pests in Asian countries, where they are believed to compete with livestock for forage, erode soil, and negatively affect agricultural crops such as apple trees and wheat (Smith et al., 1990). It has been demonstrated that pikas can harm agricultural crops (Smith et al., 1990) but no control studies have been conducted that support other claims. Pika foraging has been implicated in accelerating range deterioration but only in areas that were already overgrazed (Shi, 1983; Zhong, Zhou and Sun, 1985). Millions of hectares have been subject to poisoning in an effort to control pika numbers with mixed results, including extermination of non-target species (Smith et al., 1990).
Negative Impacts: crop pest
The family Ochotonidae comprises the pikas, including one extant genus Ochotona and 30 currently recognized species (Hoffman and Smith, 2005). There are more than 30 extinct genera that have been identified as far back as the Eocene, one of which, Prolagus, went extinct in the late 18th century (Dawson, 1969; Ge et al., 2012). Today, Ochotonidae represents approximately 1/3 of lagomorph diversity (Smith, 2008). Their range is primarily in Asia although there are two North American species, American pikas and collared pikas (Smith et al., 1990). They range in weight from 70 to 300 g and are usually less than 285 mm in length (Smith, 2008). There is no known sexual dimorphism (Vaughan et al., 2011). The main differences from leporids are their (i) small size, (ii) small, rounded ears, (iii) concealed tails, (iv) lack of supraorbital processes, and (v) 2, rather than 3, upper molars (Smith, 2008). There are two main ecotypes, one of which is associated with rocky habitats and the other with meadow, steppe, forest, and shrub habitats. Each ecotype is associated with specific life history traits as well as behavior. Most species fall within one of these ecotypes, although there are some species which exhibit intermediate characteristics (Smith, 2008).
Today, four ochotonid species (silver pikas, Hoffmann's pikas, Ili pikas, Kozlov's pikas) are classified as endangered or critically endangered due to habitat loss, poisoning, or climate change (Smith, 2008; IUCN, 2011). Additionally, many subspecies are threatened due to low vagility and its effects on stochastic metapopulation dynamics (Smith, 2008). Not enough is known about many species (10% are still considered data deficient by the IUCN) to truly assess their conservation status. Until the systematics of the family is better understood it will be hard to determine the outlook for many populations. Due to their low tolerance for high temperatures and low vagility, ochotonids are considered especially vulnerable to warming so the need for conservation efforts is expected to increase with climate change (Holtcamp, 2010).
Most pika species vocalize both for predator alarms and territory defense (Smith et al., 1990; Nowak, 1991; Trefry and Hik, 2009). They produce a high-pitched 'eek' or 'kie' that is ventriloquial in character (Diersing, 1984). They have also been demonstrated to eavesdrop on the alarm calls of heterospecifics, such as marmots and ground squirrels (Trefry and Hik, 2009). Ochotonids can also communicate danger by drumming on the ground with their hind feet (Diersing, 1984). Meadow-dwelling, burrowing species produce multiple types of vocalizations, many of which are used in socializing with conspecifics (Smith, 2008). Low chattering and mewing noises have also been reported (Diersing, 1984). Both ecotypes also use scent-marking (Smith, 2008).
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks ; vibrations
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Pikas serve as an important food source to both birds and mammals in all of the habitats they occupy. Meadow-dwelling pikas, in particular, can be a preferred food or buffer species throughout the year, but are especially important prey in the winter as they are still active while similarly sized rodents hibernate (Smith et al., 1990). During high-density years, burrowing pikas can be the most important food source for Asian steppe predators, sometimes making up more than 80% of a predator’s diet (Sokolov, 1965). In addition to being prey for small to medium-sized carnivores, pikas are also often consumed by larger carnivores, including wolves and brown bears (Smith et al., 1990).
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
Ochotonids exhibit little physical variation. They are generally small, ranging in body length from 125 to 300 mm and weighing 70 to 300 g (Nowak and Wilson, 1991; Smith, 2008). Unlike leporids, pikas lack a visible tail and have short rounded ears with large, valvular flaps and openings at the level of the skull (Vaughan et al. 2011). The ears are only weakly movable (Diersing, 1984) and their nostrils can be completely closed (Nowak and Wilson, 1991). They have short limbs with the hind limbs barely longer than the forelimbs (Nowak and Wilson, 1991). They have 5 front digits and 4 hind digits all with curved claws (Vaughan et al., 2011). The soles of the feet are covered by long hair but the distal pads are exposed (Diersing, 1984). They are digitigrade while running but plantigrade during slow movement (Vaughan et al., 2011). Ochotonids have 22 thoracolumbar vertebrae and lack a pubic symphysis (Diersing, 1984).
The skull is generally similar to that of leporids. It is flattened, exhibits fenestration, and is constricted between the orbits (Vaughan et al., 2011). The ochotonid tooth formula is 2/1 0/0 3/2 2/3=26. The first incisors are ever-growing and completely enameled, while the second are small, peg-like, and directly behind the first. The cutting edge of the first incisor is v-shaped (Nowak and Wilson, 1991). They have a long post-incisor diastema and hypsodont, rootless cheek teeth. Occlusion is limited to one side at a time, with associated large masseter and pterygoideus muscles allowing for transverse movement while the cheekteeth have transverse ridges and basins (Vaughan et al., 2011). The zygomatic arch is slender and not vertically expanded. The jugal is long and projects more than halfway from the zygomatic root of the squamosal to the external auditory meatus (Diersing, 1984). Unlike leporids, pikas lack a supraorbital process. Their rostrum is short and narrow and the maxilla has a single large fenestra (Vaughan et al., 2011). The auditory bulla, which is fused with the petrosal, are spongiose and porous. The bony auditory meatus is laterally directed and not strongly tubular (Diersing, 1984).
Pikas exhibit no sexual dimorphism (Nowak and Wilson, 1991). Males lack a scrotum and both sexes have a cloaca, which opens on a mobile apex supported by a rod of tail vertebrae (Diersing, 1984; Vaughan et al., 2011). Females have between 4 and 6 mammae, with one pair inguinal and one to two pairs pectoral (Nowak and Wilson, 1991). Ochotonid coats consist of long, dense, fine fur and are usually grayish brown, although they vary inter- and intra-specifically depending on habitat. Some ochotonids go through two molts, with darker fur during the summer and grayer pelage in the winter (Diersing, 1984).
Physiologically, pikas have a high metabolic rate. They also have low thermal conductance and, even at moderately high temperatures, low ability to dissipate heat (MacArthur and Wang, 1973).
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
The average mortality of talus-dwelling species is low and many are long lived compared to most small mammals (Smith et al., 1990). American pikas live on average 3 to 4 years but have been known to live up to 7 years (Forsyth et al, 2005). Meadow-dwelling species experience high annual mortality and few individuals live more than two years (Smith, 1988).
Ochotonids are found in two distinct habitats: talus habitat or in meadow, steppe, forest, and shrub habitats. Talus-dwellers inhabit the crevices between rocks on mountain slopes. These species forage in the alpine meadows that abut the rocks or from the vegetation that grows between the rocks. They are found across a wide altitudinal gradient from below 90 to above 6000 m (Nowak and Wilson, 1991). Species that are typically found in talus habitats are alpine pikas, silver pikas, collared pikas, Chinese red pikas, Glover’s pikas, Himalayan pikas, northern pikas, Ili pikas, large-eared pikas, American pikas, Royle’s pikas, and Turkestan red pikas (Smith, 2008).
Non-talus dwelling pikas are found in a variety of vegetated habitats where they forage and produce burrows. The meadows they occupy are also typically at high elevation. The meadow-burrowing pikas are all found in Asia and include Gansu pikas, black-lipped pikas, Daurian pikas, Kozlov’s pikas, Ladak pikas, Muli pikas, Nubra pikas, steppe pikas, Moupin pikas, and Thomas’s pikas (Smith, 2008).
Some species, including Pallas's pikas and Afghan pikas are known to occur in both habitat types and are referred to as intermediate species (Smith, 2008). Although intermediate in habitat, these species exhibit the life-history traits and behavior of meadow-dwelling pikas.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; mountains
Traditionally, pikas were a valuable source of fur throughout Asia and in particular the Soviet Union (Smith et al., 1990). Additionally, some traditional herdsmen selectively graze their livestock in the winter on pika meadows where haypiles are exposed above the snow (Loukashkin, 1940).
Positive Impacts: body parts are source of valuable material
In addition to the important ecosystem roles that ochotonids serve as consumers and as prey, they also alter their environments through bioturbative ecosystem engineering. The burrowing of meadow-dwelling pikas improves soil quality and reduces erosion (Smith and Foggin, 1999). The accumulation and decomposition of leftover caches and the feces in burrow systems also helps increase the organic content of soil (Smith et al., 1990). In addition to their abiotic benefits, pika burrows are used by other mammals and birds and their caches are often consumed by other herbivores (Smith et al., 1990). The haypiles of talus-dwelling pikas also improve soil quality upon decomposition, thereby facilitating plant colonization of the talus (Smith et al., 1990).
Ecosystem Impact: soil aeration ; keystone species
Although the historic range of ochotonids included Asia, Europe, northern Africa, and North America, today ochotonids are found only in Asia and the high mountains of western North America. Their center of diversity is China, where 24 species are found (Smith, 2008). In Asia, pikas are found as far west as Iran, south into India and Myanmar, and into northern Russia. The two Nearctic species are found in the central Alaskan Range, the Canadian Rockies, and the Rockies, Sierra Nevadas, and Great Basin in the continental United States (IUCN, 2011).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Native )
Pikas are generalist herbivores and typically collect caches of vegetation, which they live off of during the winter. They consume leaves and stems of forbs and shrubs as well as seeds and leaves of grasses; sometimes they also consume small amounts of animal matter (Diersing, 1984). Like most leporids, they produce two types of feces: soft caecotroph and hard pellets (Smith, 2008). During the summer, after the breeding season, pikas accumulate large stores of many different plants in their haypiles, which they then store for winter consumption. Their foraging patterns varies throughout the season in accordance with which plants are available, preferred, and/or have the highest nutritional content, selecting for higher caloric, lipid, water, and protein content (Smith and Weston, 1990). The foraging habits of pikas affect plant communities. Pikas alter which plants are collected while foraging as well as how far they go to forage, depending on whether they are being immediately consumed or are being added to a haypile. This variation results in a mosaic of plant community composition (Huntly, Smith and Ivins, 1986). This selective foraging has been demonstrated to stabilize plant community composition and slow the process of succession, as well as reduce the number of seeds in the soil (Huntly, Smith and Ivins, 1986; Khlebnikov and Shtilmark, 1965).
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )
Most talus-dwelling pika species are monogamous or polygynous (Gliwicz, Witczuk, and Pagacz, 2005; Smith, 2008). There are some notable exceptions, including documented cases of polygynandry in collared pikas (Zgurski and Hik, 2012). In contrast, meadow-dwelling pikas exhibit monogamous, polygynous, polyandrous, or polygynandrous mating systems, depending on the sex ratio at the beginning of the breeding season (Smith and Dobson, 2004).
Mating System: monogamous ; polyandrous ; polygynous ; polygynandrous (promiscuous)
The talus-dwelling species, such as American pikas, exhibit low annual production of offspring (Smith 1988). Typically, talus-dwelling pikas produce only one successfully weaned litter of 1 to 5 young a year. On average, approximately 2 young per mother are successfully weaned per year (Smith, 2008). Juveniles reach sexual maturity as yearlings (Smith et al., 1990). Some talus-dwelling species exhibit absentee maternal care typical of lagomorphs (Whitworth 1984). The gestation period of American pikas, for example, is 30.5 days (Smith, 1988) and their breeding season lasts between late April and the end of July (Markham and Whicker, 1973). In contrast, meadow-dwelling species have much higher potential reproductive output, but it varies depending on environmental conditions. They can produce litters that are twice as large as those of talus-dwellers up to every three weeks during the reproductive season. The reproductive season of O. curzoniae, a meadow-dwelling species, generally lasts from March to late August but can vary between years and sites (Yang et al., 2007). On average, multiple litters are produced each year and most young are successfully weaned (Smith, 2008). Further increasing their reproductive output, juveniles born early in the breeding season will reach sexual maturity and breed during the summer of their birth (Smith et al., 1990).
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Some talus-dwelling species exhibit absentee maternal care typical of lagomorphs (Whitworth 1984). Males and females of some meadow-dwelling species participate in affiliative behavior with juveniles as well as mate guarding and defending territories (e.g. Smith and Gao, 1991). Juveniles of meadow-dwelling species also continue to live on the parental territory through at least their first year (Smith, 2008).
Parental Investment: altricial ; male parental care ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Male); pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Male); pre-independence; post-independence association with parents; inherits maternal/paternal territory
Els ocotònids (Ochotonidae) són una família de lagomorfs que viuen a regions fredes de l'extrem oriental d'Europa, gran part d'Àsia i Nord-amèrica.[2] Els únics representants d'aquest grup que han sobreviscut fins avui en dia són les piques (Ochotona), però la família té un registre fòssil ric que s'estén com a mínim fins a l'Oligocè. Les espècies extintes tenien una distribució molt més àmplia a Europa i fa aproximadament 63.000 anys encara eren presents a la península Ibèrica.[3]
Els ocotònids (Ochotonidae) són una família de lagomorfs que viuen a regions fredes de l'extrem oriental d'Europa, gran part d'Àsia i Nord-amèrica. Els únics representants d'aquest grup que han sobreviscut fins avui en dia són les piques (Ochotona), però la família té un registre fòssil ric que s'estén com a mínim fins a l'Oligocè. Les espècies extintes tenien una distribució molt més àmplia a Europa i fa aproximadament 63.000 anys encara eren presents a la península Ibèrica.
Pišťuchovití (Ochotonidae) je čeleď řádu zajícovců. Jsou to zvířata, která mají krátké uši, nemají ocas a jsou velmi čilá. I když jsou pišťuchy příbuzné králíkům, vypadají spíše jako morčata.
Obývají odlehlé části stepí a hor Asie a Severní Ameriky. Tvoří kolonie, které jsou od sebe vzdáleny v závislosti na množství vhodné potravy. Jelikož jsou tyto oblasti většinou nehostinné, pišťuchy si dělají zásoby potravy ze sušených rostlin. V zimě se neukládají k zimnímu spánku, ale žijí ve svých norách a jeskyních, kde se živí tím, co nastřádaly během léta. Mají vazby k určitému revíru, jenž označují sekretem pachových žláz. Doba vrhu závisí na různých podmínkách jednotlivých životních prostředí. Rodí většinou více mláďat.
Podle toho, kde se pišťuchy vyskytují, získaly také název, např. pišťucha kazašská, tibetská, horská apod. Pišťucha velkouchá je nejvýše žijícím savcem na světě, protože žije v oblasti Himálaje, a to ve výšce okolo 6000 m n. m.
Několik druhů z čeledi pišťuchovití[1]:
Obrázky, zvuky či videa k tématu pišťuchovití ve Wikimedia Commons
Pišťuchovití (Ochotonidae) je čeleď řádu zajícovců. Jsou to zvířata, která mají krátké uši, nemají ocas a jsou velmi čilá. I když jsou pišťuchy příbuzné králíkům, vypadají spíše jako morčata.
Obývají odlehlé části stepí a hor Asie a Severní Ameriky. Tvoří kolonie, které jsou od sebe vzdáleny v závislosti na množství vhodné potravy. Jelikož jsou tyto oblasti většinou nehostinné, pišťuchy si dělají zásoby potravy ze sušených rostlin. V zimě se neukládají k zimnímu spánku, ale žijí ve svých norách a jeskyních, kde se živí tím, co nastřádaly během léta. Mají vazby k určitému revíru, jenž označují sekretem pachových žláz. Doba vrhu závisí na různých podmínkách jednotlivých životních prostředí. Rodí většinou více mláďat.
Podle toho, kde se pišťuchy vyskytují, získaly také název, např. pišťucha kazašská, tibetská, horská apod. Pišťucha velkouchá je nejvýše žijícím savcem na světě, protože žije v oblasti Himálaje, a to ve výšce okolo 6000 m n. m.
Die Ochotonidae (auf deutsch Pfeifhasen genannt) sind eine Familie aus der Ordnung der Hasenartigen (Lagomorpha). Die Familie umfasst rezent nur die Gattung der Pfeifhasen (Ochotona), mit rund 30 in Asien und Nordamerika lebenden Arten. Weitere Gattungen der Pfeifhasen sind seit dem Oligozän bekannt und waren früher in zahlreichen Gattungen über ein größeres Gebiet verbreitet.
Pfeifhasen bilden zusammen mit den Hasen die Ordnung der Hasenartigen (Lagomorpha). Die systematische Stellung dieser Ordnung war lange umstritten, oft wurden die Tiere als Mitglied der Nagetiere angesehen. Eine dritte Familie, Prolagidae, wurde durch zahlreiche fossile Arten und den seit der Wende zum 19. Jahrhundert ausgestorbenen Sardischen Pfeifhasen (Prolagus sardus) gebildet.[1] Ihren Namen erhielten die Tiere wegen der hohen Töne, die sie als Warn- und Erkennungssignal von sich geben.
Die rezente Gattung Ochotona wird in insgesamt rund 30 lebende Arten unterteilt. Weitere Gattungen der Pfeifhasen sind seit dem Oligozän bekannt und waren früher in zahlreichen Gattungen über ein größeres Gebiet verbreitet.
Die Ochotonidae (auf deutsch Pfeifhasen genannt) sind eine Familie aus der Ordnung der Hasenartigen (Lagomorpha). Die Familie umfasst rezent nur die Gattung der Pfeifhasen (Ochotona), mit rund 30 in Asien und Nordamerika lebenden Arten. Weitere Gattungen der Pfeifhasen sind seit dem Oligozän bekannt und waren früher in zahlreichen Gattungen über ein größeres Gebiet verbreitet.
Itsichqonlar, tiyinsichqonlar, dumsiz sichqonlar (La-gomyidae) — kemiruvchilar toʻrkumi oilasi, 18 tacha turi bor. Markaziy Osiyo, Sharqiy Sibir va Shim. Amerikada tarqalgan. Tyanshan, Pomir, Kopetdogʻ, Oltoy, Hisor-Olay togʻlarida va baʼzi baland tekisliklarda 8, Oʻrta Osiyo togʻlarida 5 turi uchraydi. Dumsiz sichqon choʻllarda yashaydi. I yerga bir nechta teshikli uya qaziydi. Bir yilda 2—3 marta urchiydi, har safar 4—12 bola tugʻadi. Oʻt bilan oziklanadi. Tanasining uz. 15—20 sm, orqa oyoqlari oldingisidan sal uzun, barmoqlari va kaftlari tuk bilan qoplangan.[1]
Itsichqonlar, tiyinsichqonlar, dumsiz sichqonlar (La-gomyidae) — kemiruvchilar toʻrkumi oilasi, 18 tacha turi bor. Markaziy Osiyo, Sharqiy Sibir va Shim. Amerikada tarqalgan. Tyanshan, Pomir, Kopetdogʻ, Oltoy, Hisor-Olay togʻlarida va baʼzi baland tekisliklarda 8, Oʻrta Osiyo togʻlarida 5 turi uchraydi. Dumsiz sichqon choʻllarda yashaydi. I yerga bir nechta teshikli uya qaziydi. Bir yilda 2—3 marta urchiydi, har safar 4—12 bola tugʻadi. Oʻt bilan oziklanadi. Tanasining uz. 15—20 sm, orqa oyoqlari oldingisidan sal uzun, barmoqlari va kaftlari tuk bilan qoplangan.
A pika is a small, mountain-dwelling mammal native to Asia and North America. With short limbs, a very round body, an even coat of fur, and no external tail, they resemble their close relative, the rabbit, but with short, rounded ears.[3] The large-eared pika of the Himalayas and nearby mountains lives at elevations of more than 6,000 m (20,000 ft).
Pikas prefer rocky slopes and graze on a range of plants, primarily grasses, flowers, and young stems. In the autumn they pull hay, soft twigs, and other stores of food into their burrows to eat during the long, cold winter.[4] The pika is also known as the whistling hare because of its high-pitched alarm call when diving into its burrow.
The name ‘pika’ appears to be derived from the Tungus pika,[5] and the scientific name Ochotona is from the Mongolian word outrun-a, оготно, which means pika.[6] It is used for any member of the Ochotonidae (/ɒkətoʊnɪdeɪ/),[7] a family within the order of lagomorphs which also includes the Leporidae (rabbits and hares). Only one genus, Ochotona[7] (/ɒkəˈtoʊnə/ or /ɒtʃəˈtoʊnə/), is extant within the family, covering 37 species, though many fossil genera are known. Another species, the Sardinian pika, belonging to the separate genus Prolagus, has become extinct within the last 2000 years owing to human activity.
The two species found in North America are the American pika, found primarily in the mountains of the western United States and far southwestern Canada, and the collared pika of northern British Columbia, the Yukon, western Northwest Territories and Alaska.
Pikas are native to cold climates in Asia and North America. Most species live on rocky mountainsides, where numerous crevices are available for their shelter, although some pikas also construct crude burrows. A few burrowing species are native to open steppe land. In the mountains of Eurasia, pikas often share their burrows with snowfinches, which build their nests there.[8] Changing temperatures have forced some pika populations to restrict their ranges to even higher elevations.[9]
Pikas are small mammals, with short limbs and rounded ears. They are about 15 to 23 cm (6 to 9 in) in body length and weigh between 120 and 350 g (4 and 12+1⁄2 oz), depending on species. Like rabbits, after eating they initially produce soft green feces, which they eat again to take in further nutrition before producing the final solid fecal pellets. Collared pikas have been known to store dead birds in their burrows for food during winter and eat the feces of other animals.[10]
These animals are herbivores and feed on a wide variety of plant matter, including forbs, grasses, sedges, shrub twigs, moss and lichens. As with other lagomorphs, pikas have gnawing incisors and no canines, although they have fewer molars than rabbits; they have a dental formula of: 2.0.3.21.0.2.3. Another similarity that pikas share with other lagomorphs is that the bottom of their paws are covered with fur and therefore lack paw pads.[11]
Rock-dwelling pikas have small litters of fewer than five young, whilst the burrowing species tend to give birth to more young and to breed more frequently, possibly owing to a greater availability of resources in their native habitats. The young are born after a gestation period of between 25 and 30 days.[8]
Pikas are active during daylight (diurnal) or twilight hours (crepuscular), with higher-elevation species generally being more active during the daytime. They show their peak activity just before the winter season. Pikas do not hibernate so they generally spend time during the summer collecting and storing food for the winter. Each rock-dwelling pika stores its own ‘haypile’ of dried vegetation, whilst burrowing species often share food stores with their burrow mates. Haying behavior is more prominent at higher elevations. Many of the vocalizations and social behaviors that pikas exhibit are related to haypile defense.
The impact of human activity on the tundra ecosystems where pikas live has been recorded dating back to the 1970s.[12] Rather than hibernate during winter, pikas forage for grasses and other forms of plant matter and stash these findings in protected dens in a process called 'haying' which they sustain themselves with during winter seasons.[13] Sometimes pikas think that humans are predators, so they sometimes respond to humans as they do to other species that may actually be preying on the pikas. Such interactions with humans have been linked to pikas having reduced amounts of foraging time, consequentially limiting the amount of food they can stockpile for winter months.[14] Pikas prefer foraging in temperatures below 25 °C (77 °F), so they generally spend their time in shaded regions and out of direct sunlight when temperatures are high.[14] A link has also been found between temperature increases and lost foraging time, where for every increase of 1°C to the ambient temperature in alpine landscapes home to pikas those pikas lose 3% of their foraging time.[14]
Eurasian pikas commonly live in family groups and share duties of gathering food and keeping watch. Some species are territorial. North American pikas (O. princeps and O. collaris) are asocial, leading solitary lives outside the breeding season.[15]
Pikas have distinct calls, which vary in duration. The call can be short and quick, a little longer and more drawn out or long songs. The short calls are an example of geographic variation. The pikas determine the appropriate time to make short calls by listening for cues for sound localization.[16] The calls are used for individual recognition, predator warning signals, territory defense, or as a way to attract the opposite sex.[17] There are also different calls depending on the season. In the spring the songs become more frequent during the breeding season. In late summer the vocalizations become short calls. Through various studies, the acoustic characteristics of the vocalizations can be a useful taxonomic tool.[18]
The average lifespan of pikas in the wild is roughly seven years. A pika's age may be determined by the number of adhesion lines on the periosteal bone on the lower jaw. The lifespan does not differ between the sexes.[19]
The 34 species currently recognized are:
Many fossil forms of Ochotona are described in the literature, from the Miocene epoch to the early Holocene (extinct species) and present (16.4-0 Ma[1]). They lived in Europe, Asia, and North America.Some species listed below are common for Eurasia and North America (O. gromovi, O. tologoica, O. zazhigini, and probably O. whartoni).
Paleontologists have also described multiple forms of pika not referred to specific species (Ochotona indet.) or not certainly identified (O. cf. antiqua, O. cf. cansus, O. cf. daurica, O. cf. eximia, O. cf. gromovi, O. cf. intermedia, O. cf. koslowi, O. cf. lagrelii, O. cf. nihewanica). The statuses of Ochotona (Proochotona) kirgisica and O. spelaeus are uncertain.[1]
The "pusilla" group of pikas is characterized by archaic (plesiomorphic) cheek teeth and small size.[25]
The North American species migrated from Eurasia. They invaded the New World twice:
Ochotona cf. whartoni and small pikas of the O. pusilla group are also known from Siberia. The extant, endemic North American species appeared in the Pleistocene. The North American collared pika (O. collaris) and American pika (O. princeps) have been suggested to have descended from the same ancestor as the steppe pika (O. pusilla).[21]
The range of Ochotona was larger in the past, with both extinct and extant species inhabiting Western Europe and Eastern North America, areas that are currently free of pikas. Pleistocene fossils of the extant steppe pika O. pusilla currently native to Asia have been found also in many countries of Europe from the United Kingdom to Russia and from Italy to Poland, and the Asiatic extant northern pika O. hyperborea in one location in the middle Pleistocene United States.[1]
Other genera of ochotonids (currently living only Ochotonidae) include except Ochotona (pika) extinct †Albertona, †Alloptox, †Amphilagus, †Australagomys, †Austrolagomys, †Bellatona, †Bellatonoides, †Bohlinotona, †Cuyamalagus, †Desmatolagus, †Eurolagus, †Gripholagomys, †Gymnesicolagus, †Hesperolagomys, †Heterolagus, †Kenyalagomys, †Lagopsis, †Marcuinomys, †Ochotonoides, †Ochotonoma, †Oklahomalagus, †Oreolagus, †Paludotona, †Piezodus, †Plicalagus, †Pliolagomys, †Prolagus, †Proochotona (syn. Ochotona), †Pseudobellatona, †Ptychoprolagus, †Russellagus, †Sinolagomys and †Titanomys.[1] The earliest one is Desmatolagus (middle Eocene to Miocene, 42.5–14.8 Ma[1]), usually included in the Ochotonidae, sometimes in Leporidae or in neither ochotonid nor leporid stem-lagomorphs.[32]
Ochotonids appeared in Asia between the late Eocene and the early Oligocene, and continued to develop along with increased distribution of C3 grasses in previously forest dominated areas under the "climatic optimum" from the late Oligocene to middle Miocene. They thrived in Eurasia, North America, and even Africa. The peak of their diversity occurred during the period from the early Miocene to middle Miocene, most of them became extinct during the transition from the Miocene to Pliocene, what was accompanied by diversity increase in the leporids. It has been proposed that this switch between ochotonids and larger leporids was caused by expansion of C4 plants (particularly the Poaceae) related to global cooling in the late Miocene, since extant pikas reveal a strong preference for C3 plants (Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae, many of them C3). Replacement of large areas of forests by open grassland first started probably in North America and is called sometimes "nature's green revolution".[1]
{{cite book}}: External link in |quote=A pika is a small, mountain-dwelling mammal native to Asia and North America. With short limbs, a very round body, an even coat of fur, and no external tail, they resemble their close relative, the rabbit, but with short, rounded ears. The large-eared pika of the Himalayas and nearby mountains lives at elevations of more than 6,000 m (20,000 ft).
Pikas prefer rocky slopes and graze on a range of plants, primarily grasses, flowers, and young stems. In the autumn they pull hay, soft twigs, and other stores of food into their burrows to eat during the long, cold winter. The pika is also known as the whistling hare because of its high-pitched alarm call when diving into its burrow.
The name ‘pika’ appears to be derived from the Tungus pika, and the scientific name Ochotona is from the Mongolian word outrun-a, оготно, which means pika. It is used for any member of the Ochotonidae (/ɒkətoʊnɪdeɪ/), a family within the order of lagomorphs which also includes the Leporidae (rabbits and hares). Only one genus, Ochotona (/ɒkəˈtoʊnə/ or /ɒtʃəˈtoʊnə/), is extant within the family, covering 37 species, though many fossil genera are known. Another species, the Sardinian pika, belonging to the separate genus Prolagus, has become extinct within the last 2000 years owing to human activity.
The two species found in North America are the American pika, found primarily in the mountains of the western United States and far southwestern Canada, and the collared pika of northern British Columbia, the Yukon, western Northwest Territories and Alaska.
Los ocotónidos (Ochotonidae) son una familia de mamíferos lagomorfos, orden en el cual se incluyen también los conejos y las liebres (Leporidae). Se reconoce un género actual y 30 especies.
Se conocen vulgarmente como picas, pikas, liebres silbadoras o conejos de roca. El nombre común deriva de la palabra piika, usada por los tunguses del este de Siberia para designar a estos animales.
Se caracterizan por sus miembros cortos, traseros y delanteros de la misma medida, orejas pequeñas y redondeadas y carecer de cola visible. Su tamaño varía de 10 a 30 cm y pesan de 100 a 200 g. Su aspecto recuerda al de un hámster, pero los dos pares de incisivos superiores los identifican como lagomorfos. Su fórmula dental es 2.0.3.2 1.0.2.3 {displaystyle { frac {2.0.3.2}{1.0.2.3}}} 
Las picas son nativas de climas fríos, principalmente en Asia, América del Norte y partes de Europa oriental. Se las conoce también como liebres silbadoras, debido a su agudo grito de alerta. Viven generalmente en grupos familiares y comparten las tareas de recolección de comida y vigilancia.
Las picas están en el máximo de su actividad antes del invierno. Debido a que no hibernan, necesitan abrigarse y alimentarse durante el invierno. Antes de la llegada de este, las picas juntan hierba fresca y la dejan en pilas para que se seque. Una vez que la hierba se ha secado la almacenan en sus madrigueras para consumirla durante el invierno. Es común que las picas roben el heno de otras guaridas; en tales casos, las disputas que resultan son a veces aprovechadas por depredadores vecinos como hurones y aves de rapiña.
Datos: Q4364126
Multimedia:
Especies: Ochotonidae
Ochotonidae. Los ocotónidos (Ochotonidae) son una familia de mamíferos lagomorfos, orden en el cual se incluyen también los conejos y las liebres (Leporidae). Se reconoce un género actual y 30 especies.
Se conocen vulgarmente como picas, pikas, liebres silbadoras o conejos de roca. El nombre común deriva de la palabra piika, usada por los tunguses del este de Siberia para designar a estos animales.
Ochotonidae edo, orokorrean, pikak, Lagomorpha ordeneko familia baten izena da. Bertan sartzen dira pika animaliaren senide guztiak. Untxi eta erbien antzekoak dira, baina aurreko eta atzeko hankek tamaina bera dutelako bereizten dira. Guztira 26 espezie ezberdin ezagutzen dira. Itxuraz hamster baten antzekoak dira, baina lagomorfoek bezala bi pare ebakortz dituzte.
Artikulu hau biologiari buruzko zirriborroa da. Wikipedia lagun dezakezu edukia osatuz. Piiskujänikset eli pikat on toinen jäniseläinten heimoista (toinen on jänikset). Piiskujänisten heimosta (Ochotonidae) on jäljellä enää yksi suku (Ochotona), jossa on 30 lajia. Nisäkäsnimistötoimikunta on ehdottanut, että nimitys pikat vahvistettaisiin tämän heimon ensisijaiseksi suomenkieliseksi nimeksi.[3]
Piiskujänikset eroavat ulkonäöltään selvästi jänisten heimosta. Niiden korvat ja jalat ovat pienet eivätkä takajalat ole juurikaan etujalkoja suuremmat. Piiskujänisten pehmeä turkki on joko harmaanruskea tai punaruskea; selkäpuolen ollessa yleensä vatsaa tummempi. Pää on pyöreä ja häntä heikosti nähtävissä. Piiskujänikset kasvavat 13–30 senttimetrin mittaan.
Piiskujänikset ovat viileiden seutujen eläimiä, jotka elävät pääasiassa Aasiassa, Pohjois-Amerikassa ja osissa itäistä Eurooppaa. Niiden elinympäristö kattaa aroa, ruohikkoalueita ja vuoristomaastoa aina 6 000 metriin saakka.
Kylmästä asuinseudustaan huolimatta piiskujänikset eivät nuku talviunta. Aroalueilla elävät lajit muodostavat suuria perheryhmiä, kun taas vuoristoseutujen lajit elävät yleensä yksin. Piiskujänikset merkitsevät reviirinsä ulosteella tai rauhasten eritteillä ja puolustavat aluettaan rajusti tunkeilijoita vastaan.
Piiskujänikset eli pikat on toinen jäniseläinten heimoista (toinen on jänikset). Piiskujänisten heimosta (Ochotonidae) on jäljellä enää yksi suku (Ochotona), jossa on 30 lajia. Nisäkäsnimistötoimikunta on ehdottanut, että nimitys pikat vahvistettaisiin tämän heimon ensisijaiseksi suomenkieliseksi nimeksi.
Piiskujänikset eroavat ulkonäöltään selvästi jänisten heimosta. Niiden korvat ja jalat ovat pienet eivätkä takajalat ole juurikaan etujalkoja suuremmat. Piiskujänisten pehmeä turkki on joko harmaanruskea tai punaruskea; selkäpuolen ollessa yleensä vatsaa tummempi. Pää on pyöreä ja häntä heikosti nähtävissä. Piiskujänikset kasvavat 13–30 senttimetrin mittaan.
Piiskujänikset ovat viileiden seutujen eläimiä, jotka elävät pääasiassa Aasiassa, Pohjois-Amerikassa ja osissa itäistä Eurooppaa. Niiden elinympäristö kattaa aroa, ruohikkoalueita ja vuoristomaastoa aina 6 000 metriin saakka.
Kylmästä asuinseudustaan huolimatta piiskujänikset eivät nuku talviunta. Aroalueilla elävät lajit muodostavat suuria perheryhmiä, kun taas vuoristoseutujen lajit elävät yleensä yksin. Piiskujänikset merkitsevät reviirinsä ulosteella tai rauhasten eritteillä ja puolustavat aluettaan rajusti tunkeilijoita vastaan.
Les Ochotonidés (Ochotonidae) sont une famille de mammifères lagomorphes, proches des lièvres et des lapins, dont la plupart des espèces ont désormais disparu. Les survivants sont les pikas ou ochotones du genre Ochotona. Ce sont des animaux de taille moyenne qui se distinguent notamment par leurs oreilles et pattes postérieures réduites ainsi que par leur cri : un sifflement strident qui les fait surnommer lièvres siffleurs ou criards. Certains auteurs[1] y classent aussi la famille récemment éteinte des Prolagidae dont le dernier représentant fut le « Pika » corse et sarde (Prolagus sardus)[2] dont l'espèce s'est éteinte vers la fin du XVIIIe siècle.
La divergence entre la famille des Ochotonidés et les autres lagomorphes remonterait à l'Éocène. Par la suite, cette famille a occupé au Cénozoïque une vaste aire de répartition : Eurasie, Amérique du Nord et Afrique. Les modifications climatiques pléistocènes et la concurrence accrue des rongeurs expliqueraient leur confinement actuel aux régions froides holarctiques.
Tous les Ochotonidés modernes vivent dans les régions tempérées-froides de l'écozone holarctique. Les pikas nord-américains (deux espèces) vivent habituellement en haute altitude au pied des falaises, où les tas de pierres ont été formés par l'action du processus gel - dégel. La plupart des pikas utilisent les tas de pierres comme abri contre les intempéries et les prédateurs. Les pikas asiatiques (une vingtaine d'espèces) fréquentent des habitats variés, depuis les steppes sibériennes jusqu'aux sommets de l'Himalaya à plus de 6 000 mètres ; bon nombre d'entre eux sont fouisseurs et grégaires.
Une espèce très rare, le pika d'Ili (Ochotona iliensis), vit dans les montagnes du Nord-Ouest de la Chine ; il n'en resterait qu'une population de 2 000 individus très difficiles à observer. En 2015, des photos ont été réalisées, les précédentes remontaient à une vingtaine d'années[3].
Les pikas sont des herbivores, mangeant presque tout ce qui pousse dans leur habitat (plantes, fleurs, etc.) rocailleux, même certaines plantes toxiques (ainsi Ochotona rufescens est insensible aux alcaloïdes opiacés)[4]. Ces animaux n'hibernant pas, ils font le plus souvent des provisions de végétation durant le court été alpin et la stockent sous forme de tas de foin entre les rochers ; ceux-ci sont exploités durant l'hiver. Ils peuvent également rechercher leur nourriture en creusant la neige.
Cette famille a été décrite pour la première fois en 1897 par le zoologiste britannique Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas (1858-1929).
Certains auteurs[1] y classent aussi la famille récemment éteinte des Prolagidae avec l'unique genre des Prolagus qui comprend entre autres espèces éteintes le pika corso-sarde (Prolagus sardus)[5] disparu à l'époque historique, peut-être vers la fin du XVIIIe siècle[6].
Selon Mammal Species of the World (version 3, 2005) (27 mars 2015)[7], ITIS (27 mars 2015)[8], Catalogue of Life (27 mars 2015)[9] et NCBI (27 mars 2015)[10]:
Trente espèces environ sont connues, capables de vivre à des altitudes variées grâce à des adaptations évolutives particulières ; les Pikas sont notamment capables de s'abriter sous terre et ils sont particulièrement aptes à maintenir leurs corps à une bonne température dans des environnements très froids[11].
En tant que petits rongeurs encore très actifs en hiver, ils contribuent au réseau trophique des zones de montagne ; c'est l'une des principales sources de nourriture pour les carnivores de haute montagne non hibernants (par exemple le léopard des neiges, des mustélidés et même des ours dans l’Himalaya)[11].
En tant que fouisseur, le pika aère les sols (dont de montagne), et facilite la pénétration et la rétention des fortes pluies : avec jusqu'à 60 entrées pour un seul terrier familial, le pika transforme le paysage en une « éponge » capable de mieux absorber les pluies de mousson, ralentissant ainsi l'érosion et le ruissellement, aidant à garnir les nappes phréatiques et stabilisant le niveau des cours d'eau toute l'année, au profit de nombreuses autres espèces, dont l'Homme[11].
Beaucoup d'espèces de pikas sont biologiquement adaptées à des environnements hivernaux frais à très froids. Avec le réchauffement climatique, ils doivent donc trouver des corridors climatiques soit pour remonter vers le nord (ce qui leur est souvent difficile dans des environnements de plus en plus écologiquement fragmentés), soit pour grimper et s'établir à des altitudes plus élevées (ce qui n'est possible que quand ils n'entrent pas en concurrence avec d'autres espèces, qu'ils ne sont pas déjà sur des zones de sommets, et tant que leur organisme reste adapté aux faibles teneurs en oxygène de l'air en altitude)[11].
Selon une étude de 2016, les pikas de basse altitude pourraient ne pas être en mesure de s'adapter assez rapidement à l'air trop pauvre (pour eux) des altitudes plus élevées. Les chercheurs ont comparé trois gènes mitochondriaux impliqués dans l'utilisation de l'oxygène, chez dix espèces vivant à des altitudes diverses, du niveau de la mer aux hautes montagnes (5 000 mètres)[11]. Ces gènes codent des protéines qui permettent d'utiliser l'oxygène pour produire l'énergie chimique et calorique dont a besoin leur organisme[11]. Les espèces de pikas trouvées en haute altitude ont un génome permettant une conversion efficace des graisses et sucres en énergie, sans beaucoup d'oxygène, mais ce n'est pas le cas des espèces de basse altitude qui ont besoin de plus d'oxygène pour survivre[11]. Or, si le pika recule ou disparaît de certains paysages (plateau tibétain par exemple), les écosystèmes et réseaux trophiques pourraient en être gravement affectés[11].
Selon The Paleobiology database[12]
Pikachu est le plus célèbre des Pokémon, et souvent considéré en Occident comme étant inspiré d'un pika[réf. nécessaire].
Cependant, le créateur de Pokémon Satoshi Tajiri a expliqué dans une interview qu'il avait été créé à partir des onomatopées japonaises de l'étincelle ぴかぴか (pikapika?) et du couinement de la souris チュウ (chu?), le présentant donc comme une souris électrique[13] ; de fait, il infirme ainsi les suppositions de certains sites de fans qui voyaient dans ce nom une référence à un Ochotonidae[14],[15].
Les Ochotonidés (Ochotonidae) sont une famille de mammifères lagomorphes, proches des lièvres et des lapins, dont la plupart des espèces ont désormais disparu. Les survivants sont les pikas ou ochotones du genre Ochotona. Ce sont des animaux de taille moyenne qui se distinguent notamment par leurs oreilles et pattes postérieures réduites ainsi que par leur cri : un sifflement strident qui les fait surnommer lièvres siffleurs ou criards. Certains auteurs y classent aussi la famille récemment éteinte des Prolagidae dont le dernier représentant fut le « Pika » corse et sarde (Prolagus sardus) dont l'espèce s'est éteinte vers la fin du XVIIIe siècle.
A dos ocotónidos (Ochotonidae) é unha familia de mamíferos lagomorfos que, na actualidade, só está integrada por un único xénero, Ochotona, que comprende trinta especies (aínda que tamén se coñecen numerosos xéneros e especies extintas).
Son pequenos animais coñecidos vulgarmente como picas, e tamén como lebres asubidoras e coellos de roca (aínda que non están estreitamente emparentados cas lebres nin cos coellos, que forman parta doutra familia de lagomorfos, a dos lepóridos).
A familia foi descrita en 1896 polo zoólogo briánico Thomas, en Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1896: 1026.[2]
Pola suá parte, o único xénero actual definiuno en 1795 o naturalista alemán Heinrich Friedrich Link, en Beitr. Naturgesch., 2: 74.[3], que tomou como especie tipo a Ochotona minor, rebautizando a especie Lepus dauuricus Pallas, 1776 (hoxe coñecida como Ochotona dauurica).[3]
A familia coñeceuse tamén polo sinónimos:[2]
Pola súa parte, o xénero Ochotona coñeceuse tamén como:[3]
Os nomes científicos Ochotona e Ochotonidae, derivan do nome mongol ochodona, co que os mongois denominan ás picas;[4] e, no segundo caso, coa adición á raíz do nome xenérico o sufixo do latín científico -ĭidae, co que se forman os nomes das familias de animais.
O nome común máis utilizado, pica, deriva da palabra piika, usada polos pobos tungús do leste de Siberia para designar a estes animais.[5] que comezou a usarse en inglés en 1827,[6] e de aí pasou aos demais idiomas europeos.
O aspecto das picas recorda ao dun hámster, pero os dous pares de dentes incisivos superiores identifícanos como lagomorfos, e non como roedores. A súa fórmula dentaria é 2.0.3.2 / 1.0.2.3.
Caracterízanse polos seus membros curtos, os traseiros e o dianteiros da mesma medida, as orellas pequenas e arredondadas, e por careceren de cola visíbel.
O seu tamaño varía entre os 10 e os 30 cm, e o seu peso, ente os 100 e os 200 g.
As picas son propias de climas fríos, e habitan principalmente en Asia, América do Norte e nalgunhas partes de Europa Oriental.
O nome de lebres asubiadoras co que algúns as designan débese ao seu agudo grito de alerta.
Viven xeralmente en grupos familiares que comparten as tarefas de recolección de comida e vixilancia.
Desenvolven o máximo nivel de actividade antes do inverno. Debido a que non hibernan, necesitan abrigarse e alimentarse durante o inverno. Antes da chegada deste, as picas xuntan herba fresca e a deixan en montóns para que seque. Unha vez que a herba secou, almacénana nos seus tobos para consumila durante o inverno. É común que as picas rouben o feo doutras goridas; en tales casos, as disputas que resultan son ás veces aproveitadas por depredadores veciños como furóns e aves de rapina.[7]
A dos ocotónidos (Ochotonidae) é unha familia de mamíferos lagomorfos que, na actualidade, só está integrada por un único xénero, Ochotona, que comprende trinta especies (aínda que tamén se coñecen numerosos xéneros e especies extintas).
Son pequenos animais coñecidos vulgarmente como picas, e tamén como lebres asubidoras e coellos de roca (aínda que non están estreitamente emparentados cas lebres nin cos coellos, que forman parta doutra familia de lagomorfos, a dos lepóridos).
Ochotonidae é uma família de mamíferos da ordem Lagomorpha.
A família Ochotonidae está dividida em duas subfamílias, Sinolagomyidae do Oligoceno ao Mioceno, e Ochotoninae, do Mioceno ao Recente.[2][3]
Sistemática da família Ochotonidae Thomas, 1897:
Ochotonidae é uma família de mamíferos da ordem Lagomorpha.
До цієї родини належить пискуха степова, або земляний заєць (Ochotona pusilla), яка в історичні часи мешкала в Україні (на Полтавщині — до середини 18 ст.).
Згідно базі даних палеобіології склад родини такий:
До цієї родини належить пискуха степова, або земляний заєць (Ochotona pusilla), яка в історичні часи мешкала в Україні (на Полтавщині — до середини 18 ст.).
Ochotona là một họ động vật có vú trong bộ Thỏ. Họ này được Thomas miêu tả năm 1896.[2]
Có 30 loài được liệt kê:
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Bài viết liên quan đến động vật có vú này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Ochotona là một họ động vật có vú trong bộ Thỏ. Họ này được Thomas miêu tả năm 1896.
Пищуховые (лат. Ochotonidae) — семейство млекопитающих из отряда зайцеобразных.
Семейство Ochotonidae
_(4428171606).jpg)
Пищуховые (лат. Ochotonidae) — семейство млекопитающих из отряда зайцеобразных.
