Ochotona roylei

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 roylei

Species Authority:

(Ogilby, 1839)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Royle's Pika

Taxonomic Notes:

There are two recognized subspecies: Ochotona roylei nepalensis and O. r. roylei (Hoffmann and Smith 2005).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:	2008
Assessor/s:	Smith, A.T. & Boyer, A.F.
Reviewer/s:	Johnston, C.H. and Smith, A.T. (Lagomorph Red List Authority)
Contributor/s:
Justification: Ochotona roylei is a widespread species that does not appear to be experiencing a decline in distribution or abundance (Smith et al. 1990, Chakraborty et al. 2005).

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Ochotona roylei occurs in the Himalayan massif through Pakistan, Kashmir, northwestern India, Nepal, and Tibet (Smith et al. 1990). Records exist from western China, but these should probably be attributed to O. macrotis chinensis (Smith et al. 1990). O. roylei occurs from 2,400-4,300 m in elevation (Chakraborty et al. 2005).
Countries:	Native: China (Tibet [or Xizang]); India (Jammu-Kashmir); Nepal; Pakistan
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Though there are no current population assessments of Ochotona roylei, it is considered widespread without serious threats to jeopardize its status (Chakraborty et al. 2005). In the Ladakh region of India, it was characterized as uncommon, but without any known threats (Mallon 1991).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Ochotona roylei is a primarily crepuscular, talus-dwelling species (Smith et al. 1990). They live in groups composed of parents and their offspring, with low densities (12.5 per ha) characteristic of talus-dwelling pikas (Smith et al. 1990). Females of the species may produce one or two litters annually with an average of 3 offspring per litter (Smith et al. 1990). The total length of this species is 15.5-20.4 cm (Smith and Xie 2008). O. roylei exhibits a symbiotic relationship with Pnoepyge albiventer, the Scaly Breasted Wren Babbler in Nepal. This species of bird will co-occupy the pika's haypile, forage for food in close proximity to the pika, and sun itself with the pika. Potential reasons for the relationship are: 1.) lack of nesting sites for the babbler, 2.) similar life styles, 3.) the additional heat provided by the bird to the haypile is beneficial to the pika, 4.) utilization of different food sources, and 5.) additional protection against predation (Khana 2007).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Ochotona roylei is a primarily crepuscular, talus-dwelling species (Smith et al. 1990). They live in groups composed of parents and their offspring, with low densities (12.5 per ha) characteristic of talus-dwelling pikas (Smith et al. 1990). Females of the species may produce one or two litters annually with an average of 3 offspring per litter (Smith et al. 1990). The total length of this species is 15.5-20.4 cm (Smith and Xie 2008).

O. roylei exhibits a symbiotic relationship with Pnoepyge albiventer, the Scaly Breasted Wren Babbler in Nepal. This species of bird will co-occupy the pika's haypile, forage for food in close proximity to the pika, and sun itself with the pika. Potential reasons for the relationship are: 1.) lack of nesting sites for the babbler, 2.) similar life styles, 3.) the additional heat provided by the bird to the haypile is beneficial to the pika, 4.) utilization of different food sources, and 5.) additional protection against predation (Khana 2007).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Ochotona roylei is affected by small-scale logging and livestock grazing, but these are not considered serious threats to the distribution or abundance of the species (Smith et al. 1990; Chakraborty et al. 2005).

Major Threat(s):

Ochotona roylei is affected by small-scale logging and livestock grazing, but these are not considered serious threats to the distribution or abundance of the species (Smith et al. 1990; Chakraborty et al. 2005).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Ochotona roylei occurs in Zhumulangmafeng Nature Reserve (CSIS 2008). In China, this species has been regionally Red Listed as Least Concern (Wang and Xie 2004).

Conservation Actions:

Ochotona roylei occurs in Zhumulangmafeng Nature Reserve (CSIS 2008). In China, this species has been regionally Red Listed as Least Concern (Wang and Xie 2004).

Citation:	Smith, A.T. & Boyer, A.F. 2008. Ochotona roylei. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2013.
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