Ochotona princeps

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	LAGOMORPHA	OCHOTONIDAE

Scientific Name:

Ochotona princeps

Species Authority:

(Richardson, 1828)

Common Name/s:

English

–

American Pika

Taxonomic Notes:

There are currently 36 recognized subspecies: Ochotona princeps albata, O. p. barnesi, O. p. brooksi, O. p. brunnescens, O. p. cinnamomea, O. p. clamosa, O. p. cuppes, O. p. fenisex, O. p. figginsi, O. p. fumosa, O. p. fuscipes, O. p. goldmani, O. p. howelli, O. p. incana, O. p. jewetti, O. p. lasalensis, O. p. lemhi, O. p. littoralis, O. p. lutescens, O. p. moorei, O. p. muri, O. p. nevadensis, O. p. nigrescens, O. p. obscura, O. p. princeps, O. p. saturata, O. p. saxatilis, O. p. schisticeps, O. p. septentrionalis, O. p. sheltoni, O. p. taylori, O. p. tutelata, O. p. uinta, O. p. utahensis, O. p. ventorum, and O. p. wasatchensis (Hall 1981; Smith and Weston 1990). In a comprehensive study sampling all subspecies populations, cluster analysis suggested that O. princeps could be classified into four groupings (Hafner and Sullivan 1995). These groups were labeled the Northern Rocky Mountains, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and Southern Rocky Mountains (Hafner and Sullivan 1995).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Beever, E.A. & Smith, A.T.

Evaluator/s:

Johnston, C.H. and Smith, A.T. (Lagomorph Red List Authority)

Justification:
This is a widespread species with a discontinuous range. In the Great Basin, pika populations are experiencing several major threats (see text under Threats). There have been local extirpations of populations within the Great Basin (U.S.) (Beever et al. 2003). The status of populations outside of the Great Basin region is currently unknown. It is likely that the negative effects of global climate change experienced in the Great Basin region will apply to other Ochotona princeps populations, as well as those threats listed as intrinsic factors. Efforts should be made to ascertain the situation of the species as a whole.

Eight subspecies are currently threatened or Near Threatened (IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria version 2.3 (1994)) based on surveys conducted by Hafner (Hafner pers. comm.):
O. p. goldmani - Vulnerable D1
O. p. lasalensis - Vulnerable D1
O. p. nevadensis - Vulnerable C2a(i) (formerly listed under D1)
O. p. nigrescens - Vulnerable D1
O. p. obscura - Vulnerable B1+2c
O. p. sheltoni - Vulnerable D1
O. p. tutelata - Vulnerable B2ab(ii); C2a(i) (formerly listed under B1+2c)

Recent surveys conducted by Beever have indicated that O. p. schisticeps is Near Threatened (reduction in geographic range size due to multiple extirpations and may no longer be present in Nevada (Beever et al. 2003)).

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Ochotona princeps has a widespread, but discontinuous geographic distribution throughout the western United States and southwestern Canada (British Columbia and Alberta) (Smith and Weston 1990). There is paleontological evidence that supports a past distribution that once included now uninhabited, low-lying regions of the Great Basin (Grayson 1987). Following Brown's (1971 and 1978) suggested mechanism of Holocene extinction after a period of colonization during the Pleistocene, Grayson (1987) concludes that O. princeps became extinct from the low-lying regions of the northern extent of the Great Basin between 7,000 and 5,000 B.P. The current discontinuous distribution; however, is not supported by a colonization-driven system (Beever et al. 2003). Elevational distribution varies with latitudinal orientation, ranging from sea level to 3,000 m in the northern extent to rarely extending below 2,500 m in the southern-most portions of its range (Smith and Weston 1990). There is a marginal record of O. p. saxatilis at 4,100 m in Colorado (Hall 1981).
Countries:	Native: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia); United States (California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	There are no data regarding the population status of Ochotona princeps at the global level. However, a survey conducted from 1994-1999 in the Great Basin (hydrographic definition) found that seven of 20 historical sites of O. princeps appeared to have experienced recent extirpation (Beever et al. 2003). Based on sightings, active haypiles, and calls, it is estimated that the total number of pikas (mature and immature individuals) in Nevada is between 1,000 and 5,000 (Beever pers. comm.). A follow-up survey conducted from 2003-2007 indicated that local extirpations had occurred at additional sites (Beever et al. 2008). However, Beever et al. (2008) discovered a previously unknown population in Hays Canyon Ranch, Nevada. This population exists in a setting not typical for O. princeps in the southern region of its range in that, it experiences average temperatures of 0.29-12.27˚C and has a maximum elevation 2,412 m (Beever et al. 2008). Furthermore, this area does not have abundant talus habitat and has been grazed for the past 50 years (Beever et al. 2008).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

There are no data regarding the population status of Ochotona princeps at the global level. However, a survey conducted from 1994-1999 in the Great Basin (hydrographic definition) found that seven of 20 historical sites of O. princeps appeared to have experienced recent extirpation (Beever et al. 2003). Based on sightings, active haypiles, and calls, it is estimated that the total number of pikas (mature and immature individuals) in Nevada is between 1,000 and 5,000 (Beever pers. comm.). A follow-up survey conducted from 2003-2007 indicated that local extirpations had occurred at additional sites (Beever et al. 2008). However, Beever et al. (2008) discovered a previously unknown population in Hays Canyon Ranch, Nevada. This population exists in a setting not typical for O. princeps in the southern region of its range in that, it experiences average temperatures of 0.29-12.27˚C and has a maximum elevation 2,412 m (Beever et al. 2008). Furthermore, this area does not have abundant talus habitat and has been grazed for the past 50 years (Beever et al. 2008).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Ochotona princeps is a typical rock-dwelling species of pika (Smith et al. 1990). It inhabits talus and talus-like formations in cool microclimates across western North America. Talus piles are insular in nature as they are patchily distributed (Smith 1974a; Smith 1974b). Habitable talus usually has rock diameter 0.2-1.0 m (Tyser 1980). Occupied rock or talus piles are adjacent to vegetation (Smith et al. 1990). See Hafner (1993, 1994) for associations with vegetation types and permafrost zones across the range of the species. This species of pika constructs haypiles (Smith and Weston 1990). Females have two litters per year and it is common for only one of the two litters to be weaned (Smith 1978; Smith and Weston 1990). Litter size, throughout its distribution, ranges from 2.34-3.68 (Smith and Weston 1990). Gestation time is 30 days (Severaid 1950). Typically parturition beings in May, peaking in June (Smith and Weston 1990). At lower elevations the breeding season can begin as early as March (Smith and Weston 1990). Longevity of O. princeps is seven years maximum (Smith and Weston 1990). The average mortality for this species ranges between 37-46% (Millar and Zwickel 1972; Smith 1974a). Highest mortality occurs in birth to 1 year and five to seven year age groups (Millar and Zwickel 1972; Smith 1974a). Total length of this species is 16.2-21.6 cm (Smith and Weston 1990). O. princeps is a species with specific habitat requirements (talus formations in cool montane climates), necessary to regulate their internal temperatures. As such this species, "may be early sentinels of biological response to global climate change such as increased temperatures" (Beever 2002). A newly recorded population in Nevada that occurs in a region with relatively high seasonal temperatures, indicates that temperature is "not a perfect predictor of persistence" and that extirpation is a complex event with a multi-factor process (Beever et al. 2008). Other has been indicated on the habitat preference checklist and identified as artificially created taluses or talus-like habitats (e.g., mine tailings at Bodie).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Ochotona princeps is a typical rock-dwelling species of pika (Smith et al. 1990). It inhabits talus and talus-like formations in cool microclimates across western North America. Talus piles are insular in nature as they are patchily distributed (Smith 1974a; Smith 1974b). Habitable talus usually has rock diameter 0.2-1.0 m (Tyser 1980). Occupied rock or talus piles are adjacent to vegetation (Smith et al. 1990). See Hafner (1993, 1994) for associations with vegetation types and permafrost zones across the range of the species. This species of pika constructs haypiles (Smith and Weston 1990).

Females have two litters per year and it is common for only one of the two litters to be weaned (Smith 1978; Smith and Weston 1990). Litter size, throughout its distribution, ranges from 2.34-3.68 (Smith and Weston 1990). Gestation time is 30 days (Severaid 1950). Typically parturition beings in May, peaking in June (Smith and Weston 1990). At lower elevations the breeding season can begin as early as March (Smith and Weston 1990). Longevity of O. princeps is seven years maximum (Smith and Weston 1990). The average mortality for this species ranges between 37-46% (Millar and Zwickel 1972; Smith 1974a). Highest mortality occurs in birth to 1 year and five to seven year age groups (Millar and Zwickel 1972; Smith 1974a). Total length of this species is 16.2-21.6 cm (Smith and Weston 1990).

O. princeps is a species with specific habitat requirements (talus formations in cool montane climates), necessary to regulate their internal temperatures. As such this species, "may be early sentinels of biological response to global climate change such as increased temperatures" (Beever 2002). A newly recorded population in Nevada that occurs in a region with relatively high seasonal temperatures, indicates that temperature is "not a perfect predictor of persistence" and that extirpation is a complex event with a multi-factor process (Beever et al. 2008).

Other has been indicated on the habitat preference checklist and identified as artificially created taluses or talus-like habitats (e.g., mine tailings at Bodie).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Free-ranging domestic and feral cattle pose a threat to Ochotona princeps. Data suggest that population-size indices are smaller at sites with small amounts of habitat that are grazed compared to non-grazed (Beever pers. comm.). In addition, all Great Basin sites at which extirpations have occurred were grazed in the vicinity of the historic record (Beever et al. 2003; Beever, unpublished data). See Beever et al. (2003) for caveats of this relationship. Not confirmed analytically, but extensive logging of montane forests adjacent to taluses (which occurred at some of the non-wilderness sites I sampled) may alter thermal microclimate on taluses. May be a contributing factor; however, I would not expect it to cause extirpations on its own. It is uncertain if this was a direct relationship or an artefact of low road densities in areas with large amounts of talus habitat, but distances to the nearest primary road (a surrogate of anthropogenic influence) was a good predictor of persistence of pikas in the interior Great Basin during the 20th century in both linear-regression and multi-model analyses (Beever et al. 2003). Cover of non-native plants is increasing at some sites, partially due to wildfires. It is unknown to what extent this change in available dietary items may affect O. princeps. Recreational shooting; impact on populations not confirmed unequivocally. Global warming/oceanic warming: Portions of otherwise suitable habitats may be becoming uninhabitable, due to changes in microclimate attendant to global climate change (sensu McDonald and Brown 1992). Inbreeding: Low levels of heterogeneity, but not always detrimental. Low densities: In many of the populations for these subspecies. Demonstrated vulnerability to high temperatures. 11. Other: Rapid climate change (see 9.10). Climatic influences on pikas is suggested by several lines of evidence, including hotter, drier macroclimates at extirpated vs. extant sites (Beever et al. 2003); excellent ability of our climatic surrogate to predict persistence in univariate and AIC analyses (Beever et al. 2003; Beever unpubl. Analyses); and loss of pikas from low-elevation sites in five ranges even though higher-elevation populations in the same range persisted (Beever et al. 2003; Beever unpubl. data). However, it does not appear to be acting in isolation from other influences, and many questions remain unanswered.

Major Threat(s):

Free-ranging domestic and feral cattle pose a threat to Ochotona princeps. Data suggest that population-size indices are smaller at sites with small amounts of habitat that are grazed compared to non-grazed (Beever pers. comm.). In addition, all Great Basin sites at which extirpations have occurred were grazed in the vicinity of the historic record (Beever et al. 2003; Beever, unpublished data). See Beever et al. (2003) for caveats of this relationship.

Not confirmed analytically, but extensive logging of montane forests adjacent to taluses (which occurred at some of the non-wilderness sites I sampled) may alter thermal microclimate on taluses. May be a contributing factor; however, I would not expect it to cause extirpations on its own.

It is uncertain if this was a direct relationship or an artefact of low road densities in areas with large amounts of talus habitat, but distances to the nearest primary road (a surrogate of anthropogenic influence) was a good predictor of persistence of pikas in the interior Great Basin during the 20th century in both linear-regression and multi-model analyses (Beever et al. 2003).

Cover of non-native plants is increasing at some sites, partially due to wildfires. It is unknown to what extent this change in available dietary items may affect O. princeps.

Recreational shooting; impact on populations not confirmed unequivocally.

Global warming/oceanic warming: Portions of otherwise suitable habitats may be becoming uninhabitable, due to changes in microclimate attendant to global climate change (sensu McDonald and Brown 1992).

Inbreeding: Low levels of heterogeneity, but not always detrimental.

Low densities: In many of the populations for these subspecies.

Demonstrated vulnerability to high temperatures.

11. Other: Rapid climate change (see 9.10). Climatic influences on pikas is suggested by several lines of evidence, including hotter, drier macroclimates at extirpated vs. extant sites (Beever et al. 2003); excellent ability of our climatic surrogate to predict persistence in univariate and AIC analyses (Beever et al. 2003; Beever unpubl. Analyses); and loss of pikas from low-elevation sites in five ranges even though higher-elevation populations in the same range persisted (Beever et al. 2003; Beever unpubl. data). However, it does not appear to be acting in isolation from other influences, and many questions remain unanswered.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Many populations occur in National Parks and other protected areas, and throughout the species range the hunting/shooting of pikas is not allowed. The following are needed measures for Ochotona princeps: 1.1. Management plans: Needed at the local level, but not globally. 1.2. Legislation: With respect to global-level climate-related stressors. 2.2. Awareness: Especially for natural-resource managers. 3.2. Population numbers and range. 3.4. Habitat status. 3.5. Threats. 3.9. Trends/Monitoring. 4.4.1. Identification of new protected areas (see comments below). 4.4.3. Management. 5.1. Re-introductions: If climate change has in fact rendered portions of habitat at sites (or entire sites) uninhabitable, re-introductions would be in vain (Beever et al. 2003).

Conservation Actions:

Many populations occur in National Parks and other protected areas, and throughout the species range the hunting/shooting of pikas is not allowed.

The following are needed measures for Ochotona princeps:

1.1. Management plans: Needed at the local level, but not globally.
1.2. Legislation: With respect to global-level climate-related stressors.

2.2. Awareness: Especially for natural-resource managers.

3.2. Population numbers and range.
3.4. Habitat status.
3.5. Threats.
3.9. Trends/Monitoring.

4.4.1. Identification of new protected areas (see comments below).
4.4.3. Management.

5.1. Re-introductions: If climate change has in fact rendered portions of habitat at sites (or entire sites) uninhabitable, re-introductions would be in vain (Beever et al. 2003).

Citation:	Beever, E.A. & Smith, A.T. 2008. Ochotona princeps. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2010.
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