DOCSLIB.ORG

Notes on the Collared Pika, Ochotona Collaris (Nelson), in Alaska

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology Parasitology, Harold W. Manter Laboratory of 1961 Notes on the Collared Pika, Ochotona collaris (Nelson), in Alaska Robert L. Rausch University of Washington, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/parasitologyfacpubs Part of the Parasitology Commons Rausch, Robert L., "Notes on the Collared Pika, Ochotona collaris (Nelson), in Alaska" (1961). Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology. 345. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/parasitologyfacpubs/345 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Parasitology, Harold W. Manter Laboratory of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Rausch in the Murrelet 42 (1961) NOTES ON THE COLLAREDPIKA, OCHOTONACOLLARIS (NELSON), IN ALASKA ROBERTL. RAUSCH Maps showingthe geographicrange of the collaredpika, Ochotonacol- laris (Nelson), have been publishedrecently by Hall (1951) and by Hall and Kelson (1959). Accordingto these, this Inammaloccurs in the mountains betweenthe Tananaand Yukon Rivers,and in the AlaskaRange as far west as Mt. McKinley.A specimenfrom the summit of the ChugachMountains (Baker,1951) was not includedon the aforementionedmaps. Osgood(1904) referredto two specimenscollected by C. L. McKay in the ChogmitMolln- tains, east of Lake Clarkat the base of the Alaska Peninsula,and also men- tioned a sight recordfor Keejik Mountainby Lake Clark. Duringthe years 1950-1961,I have collected73 collaredpikas in Alaska. The majority (66) was taken in the Talkeetna Mountains,in the general vicinity of Willow Pass; the remainderwas from the following localities: Isabella Pass, Alaska Range (1); unnamedlake (lat. 62° 48' 20" N., long. 146°41' 30"W.) north of Lake Louise (2); Eklutna Lake (1) and near the head of Eagle River (1), ChugachMountains; White Mountain,near Na- Figure 1. Map of southeastern quadrant of A1klska,with records of occurrence of the collared pika (published and original data included). Mountain ranges are shaded to timberline fafter Sigafoos, 1958). (22) Rausch in the Murrelet 42 (1961) May-August,1961 COLLARED PIKA IN ALASKA 23 besna,Wrangell Mountains (2). I also saw a pika,not collected,alo}zg the RichardsonHighway 45 milesnorth of Valdez,in the ChugachMountains. Mr.Ronald O. Skoog,Alaska Department of Fishand Game, (personal com- munication)observed pikas at the westend of ChakachamnaLake, north of LakeClark, on July 3-4, 1961. The aboverecords together with those previouslypublished seem to permita comparativelyaccurate delinestion of the geographicrange of the collaredpika west of aboutlong. 140°W. (Figure1). This mammalmay be expectedto occurin suitablehabitat in the mountainsbetween the Yukon and TananaRivers (see Libby,1958), throughoutthe Wrangell,Chugach, and TaReetnaMountains, and southin the AlaskaRange to the Chigmit MountaixLs.The collaredpika has not beenrecorded from the mountainson the KellaiPeninsula. Portage Pass, on the isthmusseparating the Peninsula fromthe adjacentmainland, may be a naturalbamer which the pika,and endently the arcticground squirrel, Citellus undulatus (Pallas), as well, haveIlot beenable thus far to cross.Little is knownabout the movements of the collaredpika awayfrom the rock-slidesit chaarcteristicallyinhabits. On September12, 1954,at the localityllorth of LakeLouise, I foundpikas in a forestedvalley (whitespruce-birch-willow) more than 200 yardsfrom the nearesttalus, and their burrowswere beneath scattered rocks among the trees. Anthony (1923) reportedthat O. pnnceps (Richardson)may migrateup to severalmiles through dense forest. All but one of the 73 pikasmentioned above were collected during the periodMay 30-October2. Forty-fivewere males; 26 werefemales, and the sex of two was not recorded.A femalekilled in the TaLkeetnaMountains on May30 contained3 embryos;the latestpregnancy recorded was on June 13at the samelocality The latter animal was also lactating, and this provided the only indicationthat morethan one littsr may be bornper year. The earliestobserved emergence of youngwas June 19, whena femaleweighing 77.5grams was collected. Threepikas were seen in a rock-slideabove Eklutna Lake on November 10, 1961,and one was collected.The axnbienttemperature at the time was about 10° F., and the depth of snow was insufficientto coverthe rocks. Dixon(1938) reportedthat CharlesSheldon found pikas active at Mt. Mc- Kinleyon December26, 1907,at a temperatureof -31° F. The depth of snowis usuallytoo greatto permitwinter observations on this mammal. Howell(1924) stated that the collaredpika seemsto have only one annualmolt. My findingsare in agreementmnth Howell's, since only the specimentaken on November10 had completedthe molt. The diet of the collaredpika in Alaskahas evidentlynot beendescribed in detail.At the southemlimits of the TalkeetnaMountains, where the florahas a largecomponent of coastalspecies, a hay-pileexammed on Oct;ober 2 containedthe followmg:Cystopteris fragilgs (L.) Bemh.; Lycopodium sp.; Carex sp.; Sanguisorbasitchensis C. A. Meyer;Cassiope Stellerzna (Pall.); Luetkea pectinata (Pursh) Kuntze (sntire stalks with flowers); Epilobiumlstifokum L. (comprisingabout 60 percent of the total volume). At the localitynorth of LakeLouise, a hay-pileon September10 contained: Ledumpalustre ssp. decumbens(Ait.) Hult.;Vaccinium Vitis-idaea L. (with bemes); Empetrumnigrum L. (with berries);Salix sp.; leavesof Betula kenaicaEvans hybridized with a dwarfspecies of Betula. The observations suggestthat the pikasutilize whatever plants are availablenear the rock- slides. Fecesof ermine,Mustels ermineaL., haveoften been noted on the hay- piles.On July 11, 1954,I watchedan erminecarrying a pikaacross a rock- Rausch in the Murrelet 42 (1961) 24 I5HE MURRELE'1' Vol. 4:2 (2) slide in the Talkeetna Mourltains.The ermine was collected and found to be a female weighing109.6 grarns;the pika it had killed (as indicated hy tooth-marksand hemorrhageat the base of the skull) weighed118.6 grams. The ermineappears to be an importantpredator on pikas in south-central Alaska,according to evidenceof its presenceirl slides inhabltedby the latter. The striated muscles of collaredpikas, particularlyin the Talkeetna Mountains,often contain Sarcocystissp Parasitichalminths found in these pikas have been reportedelsewhere (Akhtar, 1956; 1958; Rausch, 1960) and their fleas have been discussedhy Holland (1958). -Arctic Health ResearchCenter PzlblicHealth Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education,and Welfare,Anchorage, Alaska LITERATURE CITED AKHTAR, S. A. 1956. On the nematodes (Family: Oxyuridae Cobb., Sub-family: Labiostominaen. subf.) parasitic in the pika of Alaska I. Pakistan J. Sci. Res. 8: 133-139. AKHTAR, S. A. 1958. On the nematodes (Family: Oxyuridae Cobb., Sub-family: Labiostominaen. subf.) parasitic in the pika of Alaska-II. Pakistan J. Sci. Res. 10:56-62. ANTHONY, A. W. 1923. Periodical emigrations of ]nammals;.J. Mammal. 4: 60-(;l. BAKER, R. H. 1951. Mammals taken along the Alaska Highway. Univ. Kansas P-ubl., Mus. Nat. Hist. 5:87-117. DIXON, J. S. 1938. Birds and mammals of Nlount NIcKinley National Park, Alaska. Fauna Series No. 3, Nat. Park Svc. U. S. Govt. Printing Office, Wash., D.C. 236 pp. lIALL, E. R. 1951. A synopsis of the North AmericanLagomorpha. Univ. Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist. 5:119-202. HALL, E. R., and Kelson, K. R. 1959.The mammais of North America.Vol. I. Ronald Press. New York. 546 pp. HOLLAND, G. P 1958. Distribution patterns of northern fleas (Siphonaptera). Proc. 10th Int'loCongr. Entomology, Vol. I. pp. 645-658. HOWELL, A. H. 1924. Revision of the American pikas. North Amer. Fauna, No. 47. U. S. Dept. Agric. Gcuvt.Printing Office, Wash., D.C. 57 pp. LIBBY, W. L. 1958. Records of the pika in the Tanana Hills, Alaska. J. Mammal. 39:448-449. OSGOOD,W. H. 1904. A biological reconnaissanceof the base of the Alaska Peninsula. North Amer. Fauna, No. 24. U. S. Dept. Agric. Govt. Printing Office, Wash., D.C. 86 pp. RAUSCH, iEl.1960. Studies on the helminth fauna of Alaska. XXXVII. Description of Schizorchis caballerio n. sp. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae), with notes on other parasites of Ochotona. Liblo Homenaje Dr. Edu. Caballero y C. Mexico, D. F. 594 pp. SIGAFOOS, R. S. 1958. Vegetation of northwestern North America, as an aid in interpretation of geologic data. Geological Su:rv. Bull. 1061-E. U. S. Dept. Int. Govt. Printing Office, Wash., D.C. pp. 165-185. AnotherRecord of the VVhite-ThroatedSparrow for Eastern Washington Thereare few recordsof the White-throatedSparrow (Zono trichiaalSoi- collis) for eastern WashiIlgton.Therefore it is oF interest to note that Jim Acton and severalother membersof the SpokaneB;rd Clubreported observ- ing one at Indian Canyon in northwestSpokane on September29, 1961. The followingday, September30, I collected the specimen,which was an immaturemale, and made it up as a study skin. This is the first recordof this bird in the Spokane area. LYNN D. LAFAVE,Spokane, Washington, January 12, 1962. .
Recommended publications
  • Status and Red List of Pakistan's Mammals

    Status and Red List of Pakistan's Mammals

    SSttaattuuss aanndd RReedd LLiisstt ooff PPaakkiissttaann’’ss MMaammmmaallss based on the Pakistan Mammal Conservation Assessment & Management Plan Workshop 18-22 August 2003 Authors, Participants of the C.A.M.P. Workshop Edited and Compiled by, Kashif M. Sheikh PhD and Sanjay Molur 1 Published by: IUCN- Pakistan Copyright: © IUCN Pakistan’s Biodiversity Programme This publication can be reproduced for educational and non-commercial purposes without prior permission from the copyright holder, provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior permission (in writing) of the copyright holder. Citation: Sheikh, K. M. & Molur, S. 2004. (Eds.) Status and Red List of Pakistan’s Mammals. Based on the Conservation Assessment and Management Plan. 312pp. IUCN Pakistan Photo Credits: Z.B. Mirza, Kashif M. Sheikh, Arnab Roy, IUCN-MACP, WWF-Pakistan and www.wildlife.com Illustrations: Arnab Roy Official Correspondence Address: Biodiversity Programme IUCN- The World Conservation Union Pakistan 38, Street 86, G-6⁄3, Islamabad Pakistan Tel: 0092-51-2270686 Fax: 0092-51-2270688 Email: [email protected] URL: www.biodiversity.iucnp.org or http://202.38.53.58/biodiversity/redlist/mammals/index.htm 2 Status and Red List of Pakistan Mammals CONTENTS Contributors 05 Host, Organizers, Collaborators and Sponsors 06 List of Pakistan Mammals CAMP Participants 07 List of Contributors (with inputs on Biological Information Sheets only) 09 Participating Institutions
  • American Pika Ochotona Princeps

    American Pika Ochotona Princeps

    Wyoming Species Account American Pika Ochotona princeps REGULATORY STATUS USFWS: Listing Denied USFS R2: No special status USFS R4: No special status Wyoming BLM: No special status State of Wyoming: Protected Animal CONSERVATION RANKS USFWS: No special status WGFD: NSS2 (Ba), Tier II WYNDD: G5, S2 Wyoming Contribution: HIGH IUCN: Least Concern STATUS AND RANK COMMENTS American Pika (Ochotona princeps) was petitioned for listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act in 2007. In 2010 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined listing was not warranted, largely due to a paucity of range-wide information on the species and on how it might respond to climate change 1. The species was again petitioned for listing in April of 2016, and the USFWS again determined that listing was not warranted (via a “not substantial” 90-day decision) in September 2016 2. American Pika is one of six species protected by Wyoming Statute §23-1-101. The Wyoming Natural Diversity Database recognizes the population in the Bighorn Mountains as deserving an independent conservation rank (S1; Very High Wyoming Contribution) due to its geographic isolation. NATURAL HISTORY Taxonomy: Recent research on the molecular phylogenetics of O. princeps lead to a revision of the number of subspecies from 36 to 5 3. These 5 subspecies are now widely accepted and include the Northern Rocky Mountain Pika (O. p. princeps) that occurs in Wyoming. Each subspecies is associated with a mountain system in the Intermountain West and has probably undergone intermixing during periodic cycles of glaciation 4, 5. Description: American Pika is one of the most conspicuous and identifiable alpine species in the Rocky Mountains and can easily be distinguished in the field.
  • Lagomorphs: Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares of the World

    Lagomorphs: Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares of the World

    LAGOMORPHS 1709048_int_cc2015.indd 1 15/9/2017 15:59 1709048_int_cc2015.indd 2 15/9/2017 15:59 Lagomorphs Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares of the World edited by Andrew T. Smith Charlotte H. Johnston Paulo C. Alves Klaus Hackländer JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY PRESS | baltimore 1709048_int_cc2015.indd 3 15/9/2017 15:59 © 2018 Johns Hopkins University Press All rights reserved. Published 2018 Printed in China on acid- free paper 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Johns Hopkins University Press 2715 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4363 www .press .jhu .edu Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Smith, Andrew T., 1946–, editor. Title: Lagomorphs : pikas, rabbits, and hares of the world / edited by Andrew T. Smith, Charlotte H. Johnston, Paulo C. Alves, Klaus Hackländer. Description: Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017004268| ISBN 9781421423401 (hardcover) | ISBN 1421423405 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781421423418 (electronic) | ISBN 1421423413 (electronic) Subjects: LCSH: Lagomorpha. | BISAC: SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Biology / General. | SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Zoology / Mammals. | SCIENCE / Reference. Classification: LCC QL737.L3 L35 2018 | DDC 599.32—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017004268 A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library. Frontispiece, top to bottom: courtesy Behzad Farahanchi, courtesy David E. Brown, and © Alessandro Calabrese. Special discounts are available for bulk purchases of this book. For more information, please contact Special Sales at 410-516-6936 or specialsales @press .jhu .edu. Johns Hopkins University Press uses environmentally friendly book materials, including recycled text paper that is composed of at least 30 percent post- consumer waste, whenever possible.
  • Collared Pika Occupancy in Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon: 2013 Survey Results I Table of Contents Acknowledgments

    Collared Pika Occupancy in Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon: 2013 Survey Results I Table of Contents Acknowledgments

    COLLARED PIKA (OCHOTONA COLLARIS) OCCUPANCY IN TOMBSTONE TERRITORIAL PARK, YUKON: 2013 SURVEY RESULTS Prepared by: Piia M. Kukka, Alice McCulley, Mike Suitor, Cameron D. Eckert and Thomas S. Jung 2014 COLLARED PIKA (OCHOTONA COLLARIS) OCCUPANCY IN TOMBSTONE TERRITORIAL PARK, YUKON: 2013 SURVEY RESULTS Yukon Department of Environment Fish and Wildlife Branch SR-14-01 Acknowledgments Funding was provided by the Yukon Department of Environment. We thank Martin Kienzler, Linea Eby, Boyd Pyper, Andrew Wrench, Lolita Hughes, Afan Jones, Andrew Sheriff, and Ray Breneman, for scrambling up and down mountains to help conduct the surveys. This work was based on a pilot study and protocols developed by Leah Everatt and Kris Everatt. © 2014 Yukon Department of Environment Copies available from: Yukon Department of Environment Fish and Wildlife Branch, V-5A Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 Phone (867) 667-5721, Fax (867) 393-6263 Email: [email protected] Also available online at: www.env.gov.yk.ca Suggested citation: KUKKA, P. M., A. MCCULLEY, M. SUITOR, C. D. ECKERT, AND T. S. JUNG. 2014. Collared pika (Ochotona collaris) occupancy in Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon: 2013 survey results. Fish and Wildlife Branch Report SR-14-01. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. Summary The Collared Pika (Ochotona collaris) is considered an indicator species for climate change, because of their sensitivity to climatic fluctuations and the natural isolation of suitable habitat. Given their susceptibility to climate change, Collared Pika is listed as Special Concern in the federal Species at Risk Act. During late-summer 2013, we conducted occupancy surveys for Collared Pika in Tombstone Territorial Park.
  • The American Pika in Southern Utah

    The American Pika in Southern Utah

    November 2017 NR/Wildlife/2017-02pr The American Pika in Southern Utah Ethan Hammer and Nicki Frey Pikas (pronounced ‘pie-ka’ in the U.S.) are the smallest lagomorphs - members of the rabbit and hare family (Peri, 2012). While over 20 pika species live throughout Central Asia, North America is home to two members of the Ochotona family - the collared pika and the American pika. The collared pika inhabits Alaska and northern Canada; the American pika resides throughout the western United States and southwestern Canada (Smith, 1994). American pikas resemble a cross between a rabbit and a hamster. They have large, rounded ears, no visible tail, and fur on the soles of their feet. Adults are 6 - 8.5” long and weigh about 4 oz. They are social animals, with several species living together in colonies. However, they are territorial of their nests and shelters, frequently making a call such as “eenk” or “ehh-ehh” to tell others where their territory is (Smith, 1994.) Pikas are often confused with a more common American Pika (Ochotona princeps). Photo Credit: Ethan Hammer American Pika (Ochotona princeps). Photo Credit: Ethan Hammer. animal in the Western U.S., the yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris). Both animals are active during the day and live in rocky terrain, but marmots are much larger, 18-28” long, weighing 5 – 10 lbs. (Burt & Grossenheider, 1964). American pikas, as with many pika species, live in high elevation (8,000 – 13,500 feet) talus slopes. Talus slopes are mountain sides made of medium and large sized rocks, with little vegetation.
  • List of Taxa for Which MIL Has Images

    List of Taxa for Which MIL Has Images

    LIST OF 27 ORDERS, 163 FAMILIES, 887 GENERA, AND 2064 SPECIES IN MAMMAL IMAGES LIBRARY 31 JULY 2021 AFROSORICIDA (9 genera, 12 species) CHRYSOCHLORIDAE - golden moles 1. Amblysomus hottentotus - Hottentot Golden Mole 2. Chrysospalax villosus - Rough-haired Golden Mole 3. Eremitalpa granti - Grant’s Golden Mole TENRECIDAE - tenrecs 1. Echinops telfairi - Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec 2. Hemicentetes semispinosus - Lowland Streaked Tenrec 3. Microgale cf. longicaudata - Lesser Long-tailed Shrew Tenrec 4. Microgale cowani - Cowan’s Shrew Tenrec 5. Microgale mergulus - Web-footed Tenrec 6. Nesogale cf. talazaci - Talazac’s Shrew Tenrec 7. Nesogale dobsoni - Dobson’s Shrew Tenrec 8. Setifer setosus - Greater Hedgehog Tenrec 9. Tenrec ecaudatus - Tailless Tenrec ARTIODACTYLA (127 genera, 308 species) ANTILOCAPRIDAE - pronghorns Antilocapra americana - Pronghorn BALAENIDAE - bowheads and right whales 1. Balaena mysticetus – Bowhead Whale 2. Eubalaena australis - Southern Right Whale 3. Eubalaena glacialis – North Atlantic Right Whale 4. Eubalaena japonica - North Pacific Right Whale BALAENOPTERIDAE -rorqual whales 1. Balaenoptera acutorostrata – Common Minke Whale 2. Balaenoptera borealis - Sei Whale 3. Balaenoptera brydei – Bryde’s Whale 4. Balaenoptera musculus - Blue Whale 5. Balaenoptera physalus - Fin Whale 6. Balaenoptera ricei - Rice’s Whale 7. Eschrichtius robustus - Gray Whale 8. Megaptera novaeangliae - Humpback Whale BOVIDAE (54 genera) - cattle, sheep, goats, and antelopes 1. Addax nasomaculatus - Addax 2. Aepyceros melampus - Common Impala 3. Aepyceros petersi - Black-faced Impala 4. Alcelaphus caama - Red Hartebeest 5. Alcelaphus cokii - Kongoni (Coke’s Hartebeest) 6. Alcelaphus lelwel - Lelwel Hartebeest 7. Alcelaphus swaynei - Swayne’s Hartebeest 8. Ammelaphus australis - Southern Lesser Kudu 9. Ammelaphus imberbis - Northern Lesser Kudu 10. Ammodorcas clarkei - Dibatag 11. Ammotragus lervia - Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) 12.
  • Reproduction and Breeding Biology of Indian Pika; Ochotona Roylei (Lagomorpha) from Tungnath Garhwal Himalaya India

    Reproduction and Breeding Biology of Indian Pika; Ochotona Roylei (Lagomorpha) from Tungnath Garhwal Himalaya India

    Natural Resources and Conservation 1(1): 1-8, 2013 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2013.010101 Reproduction and Breeding Biology of Indian Pika; Ochotona roylei (Lagomorpha) from Tungnath Garhwal Himalaya India Manoj Kumar Upadhyay1,*, S N Bahuguna2 1Biotech Park Lucknow, India 2HNB Garhwal University Srinagar Garhwal Uttarakhand India *Corresponding Author: [email protected] Copyright © 2013 Horizon Research Publishing All rights reserved Abstract Background: The present study deals with the [6]. All animals face the same type of environmental reproductive behavior and breeding biology of Indian Pika condition and may be the similar time of parturition and for (Ochotona Roylei .) Inhabited in the snow-fed Tungnath reproduction due to favorable climatic condition such as areas of Garhwal Himalaya Uttarakhand, India, at the food availability or density of mates with predation risk [7, altitude of 2200 to 4500 meters at sea level. Materials and 8]. There is also considerable evidence shows that mammals Methods: The observation is based on the data collected use changes in photo period or some secondary compounds during March, 2007 to September 2010 from the high in newly emerging vegetation as predictors of breeding altitude of Tungnath Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand India. season activity [9, 10]. For territorial species, being born in Results and Discussions: The animal breeds once in the year early snow fed seasons may be critical to finding of food during the May to June at the age of 7 -10 months. The materials and securing a territory for survival. The Indian gestation period is 28 to 30 days and having fecundity 1-5 Pika (Ochotona roylei) is small, diurnal, tailless snow fed offspring with recorded weaning time 20 to 22 days.
  • Volume 2, Chapter 17-3: Rodents and Bats-Non-Muroidea

    Volume 2, Chapter 17-3: Rodents and Bats-Non-Muroidea

    Glime, J. M. 2018. Rodents and Bats – Non-Muroidea. Chapt. 17-3. In: Glime, J. M. Bryophyte Ecology. Volume 2. Bryological 17-3-1 Interaction. eBook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists. Last updated 19 July 2020 and available at <http://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/bryophyte-ecology2/>. CHAPTER 17-3 RODENTS AND BATS – NON-MUROIDEA TABLE OF CONTENTS Soricomorpha .................................................................................................................................................... 17-3-2 Soricidae – Shrews ..................................................................................................................................... 17-3-2 Sorex cinereus – Long-tailed Shrew ................................................................................................... 17-3-3 Sciuromorpha .................................................................................................................................................... 17-3-4 Sciuridae .................................................................................................................................................... 17-3-4 Tamias merriami – Merriam Chipmunk ............................................................................................. 17-3-4 Tamiasciurus hudsonicus – American Red Squirrel ........................................................................... 17-3-4 Sciurus vulgaris – Eurasian Red Squirrel ..........................................................................................

  • Protocol for Detecting Collared Pika, Ochotona Collaris

    Protocol for detecting Collared Pika, Ochotona collaris Other common names: Rock rabbit, cony or rock cony, whistling, piping or mouse hare. Data forms for surveys are available on the Government of Yukon website: Yukon.ca/report-rare-yukon-species- sighting. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded to: Government of Yukon Yukon Conservation Data Centre (V-5N) Box 2703 Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 Phone: 867-667-5331 Toll free in Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, ext. 5331 Email: [email protected] Collared Pika (photo credit: Government of Yukon / J. Meikle) Why survey for pika? Collared Pika are restricted to talus slopes in alpine areas in Alaska, Yukon, western Northwest Territories, and northwestern British Columbia. This region is witnessing climate-driven shifts in habitat and temperature at faster rates than elsewhere in Canada. Pika are sensitive to climate variability and their need to have food nearby their very specific boulder fields, increases their vulnerability to climate change and makes them ‘early-warning’ indicator species. Collared Pika was assessed as Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), because of the great threat to their existence over the long term. This protocol is designed to collection baseline information about the distribution and occupancy of pikas in Yukon. It is hoped that over time this information can be used to help determine the status and trends of pika populations. Protocol for detecting Collared Pika, Ochotona collaris Instructions for pika surveys Survey methods: Search for pika and pika sign in preferred habitat: which is talus fields (boulder slopes of diverse types) with open rock piles; optimal rock sizes ranging from 30-100 cm; with little sand or soil within the talus; they are rarely >10 m from talus; at an elevation between 700 – 1800 m, though most are found within 1200-1600 m.

  • Influence of Microclimate on the Activity of Royle's Pika in the Western Himalaya, India Sabuj Bhattacharyya1,2*, Bhupendra Singh Adhikari1 and Gopal Singh Rawat1

    Bhattacharyya et al. Zoological Studies 2014, 53:73 http://www.zoologicalstudies.com/content/53/1/73 RESEARCH Open Access Influence of microclimate on the activity of Royle's pika in the western Himalaya, India Sabuj Bhattacharyya1,2*, Bhupendra Singh Adhikari1 and Gopal Singh Rawat1 Abstract Background: A central aim in ecological research is to improve understanding of the interactions between species and their environments; these improvements will prove crucial in predicting the ecological consequences of climate change for isolated montane species, such as Royle's pika. We studied the influence of habitat microclimatic conditions on the activity patterns of Royle's pika in the period May to August (2008 to 2011) within six permanently marked plots deployed along an attitudinal gradient (2,900 to 3,680 m) within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Pika activity was recorded through direct observation during the period from 0600 to 1900 on each observation day and normalised as the percentage of individuals observed in an hourly interval relative to the maximum number of individuals sighted in a particular plot during the observation day. Microclimatic data in pika habitat were recorded across the altitudinal zones using automatic data loggers, a soil thermometer and a hygrometer deployed within the site during each observation interval. Results: Using linear mixed effect models, we simulated pika activity as the number of active versus inactive individuals with logical alternate combinations of habitat microclimatic parameters, altitudinal zone and daily time interval. The pika had a bimodal activity pattern with high activity in the morning and evening hours and low activity during midday hours.
  • Rabbits, Hares and Pikas Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan

    Rabbits, Hares and Pikas Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan

    -Rabbits, Hares and Pikas Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan Compiled and edited by Joseph A. Chapman and John E.C. Flux IUCN/SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group Rabbits, Hares and Pikas Status Survey and Action Plan Compiled and edited by Joseph A. Chapman and John E.C. Flux IUCN/SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group of Oman Foreword The IUCN/SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group was constituted The Lagomorph Group, building on its good start, soon as- in as part of a determined effort by the Species Survival sumed responsibility for providing the information necessary Commission to broaden the base of its activities by incorporat- for preparing and updating lagomorph entries in the Red Data ing a large number of new Groups into its membership. By the Book and for submissions to the Convention on International end of 1979, the Lagomorph Group had attracted from Europe, Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Pacific 19 highly motivated (CITES). It holds a strong position against the introduction of biologists with a concern for problems of conservation of the eastern cottontail to Europe, and has gomorphs in their respective lands, and a willingness to do willingly participated in discussions on the subject when re- something about them. quested. The Group also continues to take the lead in keeping In August 1979, the young Group held its inaugural meeting lagomorphs on conference agenda at international meetings, at the University of Guelph, Ontario, in conjunction with the and has widened its in recent years to look at the status first World Lagomorph Conference.
  • Population Ecology of the American Pika (Ochotona Princeps) in An

    Population Ecology of the American Pika (Ochotona Princeps) in An

    POPULATION ECOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN PIKA (OCHOTONA PRINCEPS) IN AN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT by CHERYL AMBER MARIE BLAIR BSc, University of Alberta, 1998 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Thompson Rivers University Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada April 2019 Thesis Examining Committee: Karl Larsen (PhD), Thesis Supervisor Professor, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Thompson Rivers University Wendy Gardner (PhD), Committee Member Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Thompson Rivers University Darryl Carlyle-Moses (PhD), Committee Member Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Thompson Rivers University Matt Reudink (PhD), Committee Member Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University Chris Ray (PhD), External Examiner Research Associate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado ii THESIS SUPERVISOR: DR. KARL. W. LARSEN (PH.D) ABSTRACT Alteration of native habitat through human disturbance is generally implicated as the predominant cause of decline in terrestrial biodiversity. Anthropogenic forces destablilize critical processes such as reproductive success and dispersal of individuals; how species will respond depends to a large extent on the plasticity of habitat use. In this vein, habitat specialists may provide valuable opportunities to understand how colonization succeeds (or fails) in novel environments. The American pika