Abhijit at 07:59, 19 January 2026

2026-01-19T07:59:19Z

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{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Ochotona forresti.png
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Smith, A.T. |author2=Liu, S. |date=2016 |title=''Ochotona forresti'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T15048A45178927 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T15048A45178927.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Ochotona
| species = forresti
| authority = [[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]], 1923
| range_map = Forrest's Pika area.png
| range_map_caption = Forrest's pika range
}}

'''Forrest's pika''' ('''''Ochotona forresti''''') is a species of [[mammal]] in the pika family, [[Ochotonidae]]. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, and Myanmar. The summer dorsal [[Fur|pelage]] and ventral pelage are dark rufous or blackish brown, and the winter dorsal pelage is a grayish brown, slightly lighter in tone than the ventral pelage. It is a generalist [[herbivore]]. It was assessed by the [[IUCN Red List of Endangered Species]] as insufficiently known in 1994, as [[Near-threatened species|near threatened]] in 1996, and re-assessed in 2008 as a species of [[least concern]].

==Taxonomy==
Forrest's pika belongs to the pika family, [[Ochotonidae]],{{sfn|Wrobel|2007|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Qn1A9Y1OA2oC&pg=PA353 353]}} which consists of small mammals that have short ears, forelimbs very slightly longer than hindlimbs, and no external tail.{{sfn|Armstrong|Fitzgerald|Meaney|2010|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=S4HgCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA260 260]}} It was first described by the British [[zoologist]] [[Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas]] in 1923, who gave it the scientific name ''Ochotona forresti''.{{sfn|Wrobel|2007|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Qn1A9Y1OA2oC&pg=PA353 353]}} The taxonomy of the species is unclear.{{sfn|Chapman|Flux|1990|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Q994k86i0zYC&pg=PA31 31]}} It was earlier assigned as a [[subspecies]] of the Moupin pika (''[[Ochotona thibetana]])'' by Feag and Kao in 1974, Weston in 1982, and Honacki, Kinman, and Koeppl in 1982. It was also assigned to the Royle's pika (''[[Ochotona roylei]])'' by Corbet in 1978,{{sfn|Chapman|Flux|1990|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Q994k86i0zYC&pg=PA31 31]}} and the steppe pika (''[[Ochotona pusilla]]'') by Ellerman and Morrison-Scott in 1951.{{sfn|Choudhury|2003|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=tbhnqwpbPVIC&pg=PA99&dq 99]}} It is sympatric with the Gaoligong pika (''[[Ochotona gaoligongensis]]''), ''Ochotona macrotis chinensis'', ''Ochotona gloveri calloceps'', Royle's pika and possibly with the Moupin pika, and [[allopatric]] with the Royle's pika.{{sfn|Chapman|Flux|1990|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Q994k86i0zYC&pg=PA31 31]}}{{sfn|Choudhury|2003|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=tbhnqwpbPVIC&pg=PA99&dq 99]}} However, according to [[Morphometrics|morphometric]] and [[Genetics|genetic]] studies, Forrest's pika is a separate species that is confined to the [[Gaoligong Mountains]].<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" />

The Gaoligong pika and the <span class="anchor" id="Black pika">black pika</span> ('''''Ochotona nigritia''''') have been treated as separate species, but are now considered to be conspecific, representing a [[melanistic]] (dark) colour phase of Forrest's pika.<ref>{{MSW3 | id = 13500055 | page = }}</ref><ref name=Ge2012>{{cite journal | author = Ge, D. | year = 2012 | title = Reevaluation of several taxa of Chinese lagomorphs (Mammalia: Lagomorpha) described on the basis of pelage phenotype variation | journal = Mammalian Biology | volume = 77 | issue = 2 | pages = 113–123 | doi = 10.1016/j.mambio.2011.09.009|display-authors=etal | bibcode = 2012MamBi..77..113G }}</ref>

''O. f. duoxianglaensis'' is evidently synonymous with the Moupin pika.<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" /> It may also be closely related to the Chinese red pika (''[[Ochotona erythrotis]]'').<ref name=":32">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ka-9f68nPT4C&pg=PA280|title=A Guide to the Mammals of China|last1=Smith|first1=Andrew T.|last2=Xie|first2=Yan|last3=Hoffmann|first3=Robert S.|last4=Lunde|first4=Darrin|last5=MacKinnon|first5=John|last6=Wilson|first6=Don E.|last7=Wozencraft|first7=W. Chris|date=2010|location=Princeton, New Jersey|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]|isbn=978-1-4008-3411-2|pages=280|language=en}}</ref>

==Description==
Forrest's pika is similar to a small [[hare]],{{sfn|Francis|Barrett|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=zWeS8A6nunIC&pg=PA380&dq 380]}} measuring {{Convert|15.5|to|18.5|cm|abbr=on}} in length, and weighing {{Convert|110|to|148|g|abbr=on}}. The greatest length of the skull is {{Convert|3.7|to|4.1|cm|abbr=on}},{{sfn|Smith|Xie|2013|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sgQsHR-WnTUC&pg=PA170&dq 170]}} and the skull is more curved than the Moupin pika. It also has a broad [[interorbital region]] (the region of the skull located between the eyes, anterior to the [[braincase]]), and rectangular, broad nasals.<ref name=":32"/> It does not have a tail.{{sfn|Francis|Barrett|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=zWeS8A6nunIC&pg=PA380&dq 380]}} The summer dorsal [[Fur|pelage]] and ventral pelage are dark rufous or blackish brown.{{sfn|Smith|Xie|2013|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sgQsHR-WnTUC&pg=PA170&dq 170]}} The ears are rounded, measure {{Convert|1.8|to|2.3|cm|abbr=on}} in length,{{sfn|Francis|Barrett|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=zWeS8A6nunIC&pg=PA380&dq 380]}} and feature dark gray spots in the back. In a few individuals, the spots form a dorsal collar on the [[nape]] and extend onto the face, but the forehead remains brown. The dorsal side of the ears are light chestnut in color, and have a white rim. The winter dorsal pelage is grayish brown which is slightly lighter in tone than the ventral pelage. The feet are dull white in color, the foreclaws are long, and the hindfeet are {{Convert|2.7|to|3|cm|abbr=on}} long.{{sfn|Smith|Xie|2013|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sgQsHR-WnTUC&pg=PA170&dq 170]}} The [[incisive foramen]] (funnel-shaped opening in the bony plate of the skull, located in the roof of the mouth, immediately behind the [[incisor teeth]] where blood vessels and nerves pass) is combined with the palatal foramina, and has a wavy edge.<ref name=":32"/>

Moupin's pika is similar to Forrest's pika, but it has paler ventral pelage, shorter foreclaws, a narrower skull especially across the [[Zygomatic arch|cheek bone]], and buffy patches behind the ears, which do not meet around the back of the neck.{{sfn|Francis|Barrett|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=zWeS8A6nunIC&pg=PA380&dq 380]}}

==Distribution and habitat==
Forrest's pika occurs in the eastern [[Himalayas]] and [[Kangri Garpo]] mountains in [[Southwest China|southwestern China]] (northwestern [[Yunnan]] and southeastern [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]), Bhutan, [[Northeast India|northeastern India]] ([[Arunachal Pradesh]] and [[Sikkim]]), and northwestern Myanmar.{{sfn|Chapman|Flux|1990|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Q994k86i0zYC&pg=PA31 31]}}{{sfn|Smith|Xie|2013|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sgQsHR-WnTUC&pg=PA170&dq 170]}} It is observed in the high elevation regions of northern [[Arunachal Pradesh]], above {{Convert|3000|m|ft}} from sea level in the [[Tawang district]], and also in high elevation regions of the [[West Kameng district|West Kameng]] and [[East Kameng district|East Kameng]] districts. In 1997, it occurrence was reported just north of the [[Upper Dibang Valley district]], in [[Mêdog County|Medog County, Tibet]]. It does not occur in present-day [[Assam]], which belonged to the former [[Undivided Assam]] before 1972.{{sfn|Choudhury|2003|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=tbhnqwpbPVIC&pg=PA99&dq 99]}}

Forrest's pika inhabits high altitude mixed [[Coniferous forests|coniferous]] and [[Broadleaf forest|broadleaf]] forests, and [[shrubland]] thickets. It is also thought to occur around rock piles.{{sfn|Francis|Barrett|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=zWeS8A6nunIC&pg=PA380&dq 380]}} It usually occurs on south-facing mountain slopes at elevations of {{Convert|2600|to|4400|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" />{{sfn|Francis|Barrett|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=zWeS8A6nunIC&pg=PA380&dq 380]}}

It is rarely found, and is one of the pika species [[endemic]] to central China, with no true population studies.{{sfn|Alves|Ferrand|Hacklände|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9d8_AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA308 308]}}{{efn|The other five species are the Thomas's pika (''[[Ochotona thomasi]]''), the Gaoligong pika, the Tsing-ling pika (''[[Ochotona huangensis]]'') and the Muli pika (''[[Ochotona muliensis]]'').{{sfn|Alves|Ferrand|Hacklände|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9d8_AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA308 308]}}}} The black pika was thought to be common to the [[Yunnan]] Province of [[China]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/s/0MLagomorph/Ochotonidae/Ochotona/ochotona_nigritia.htm#Distribution |title=Ochotona nigritia - Black pika (Species) |access-date=2011-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928225048/http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/s/0MLagomorph/Ochotonidae/Ochotona/ochotona_nigritia.htm#Distribution |archive-date=2013-09-28 }}</ref> where it was first described in 2000. Subsequently, in 2011, a [[WWF-India]] team on an expedition to [[West Kameng]], [[India]] reported sighting two black pikas at an altitude of 13,000 ft in the Thembang Bapu community-conserved forest area.<ref>{{cite news|title=Black pika sighted in Arunachal - WWF-India research team stumbles upon rare mammal at 13000ft|first=Roopak|last=Goswami|url=http://telegraphindia.com/1110715/jsp/frontpage/story_14241544.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717232830/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110715/jsp/frontpage/story_14241544.jsp |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |newspaper=The Telegraph|publisher=Ananda Bazaar Patrika |location=Calcutta|date=July 15, 2011|access-date=July 15, 2011|quote=The WWF members sighted two black pikas in Pangila and Potok areas at an altitude of 13,000 feet on June 22 and 23 while they, along with villagers of Thembang, were conducting surveys in the Thembang Bapu community-conserved forest area in West Kameng district. The survey was part of a project for development of a management plan of the area.}}</ref>

==Behavior and ecology==
Forrest's pika is a generalist [[herbivore]]. Although very little is known about its behavior and ecology, Forrest's pika is speculated to dig burrows.{{sfn|Smith|Xie|2013|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sgQsHR-WnTUC&pg=PA170&dq 170]}} Very little or nothing is known about its reproduction.<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" />

==Status and conservation==
In 1994, Forrest's pika was assessed as insufficiently known on the [[IUCN Red List of Endangered Species]], and in 1996 its status was changed to [[Near-threatened species|near threatened]]. It was re-assessed in 2008 and 2016, and rated as a species of [[least concern]] because although the current state of its population trend is unclear, its population is not considered to be declining near the rate required to warrant the species a threatened status. Although no natural historic or ecological investigations have been done on Forrest's pika, there are no known threats to its population.<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" /> It is, however, possibly threatened by the loss of montane woodlands.{{sfn|Francis|Barrett|2008|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=zWeS8A6nunIC&pg=PA380&dq 380]}} The Chinese regional Red List has described the species as near threatened.<ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" />

== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9d8_AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA308|title=Lagomorph Biology: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation|location=Berlin New York|publisher=[[Springer Nature|Springer]]|isbn=978-3-540-72446-9|editor-last1=Alves|editor-first1=Paulo C.|page=308|editor-last2=Ferrand|editor-first2=Nuno|editor-last3=Hacklände|editor-first3=Klaus|year=2008}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S4HgCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA260|title=Mammals of Colorado |edition=Second|last1=Armstrong|first1=David M.|last2=Fitzgerald|first2=James P.|last3=Meaney|first3=Carron A.|date=2010|location=Boulder, Colorado|publisher=[[University Press of Colorado]]|isbn=978-1-60732-048-7|pages=260|language=en }}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q994k86i0zYC&pg=PA19 |title=Rabbits, Hares and Pikas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan |year=1990 |location=Gland, Switzerland |publisher=[[World Conservation Union]] [[IUCN]] |editor-last1=Chapman|editor-first1=Joseph A.|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Q994k86i0zYC&pg=PA31 31]|language=en|access-date=9 September 2017|editor-last2=Flux|editor-first2=John E.C. |isbn=978-2-8317-0019-9 }}
* {{Cite book|first1=Anwaruddin |last1=Choudhury |location=New Delhi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tbhnqwpbPVIC&pg=PA99|title=The Mammals of Arunachal Pradesh|date=2003|publisher=Regency Publications|isbn=978-81-87498-80-3 |pages= 99|language=en }}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoFnDwAAQBAJ|title=A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-East Asia|last1=Francis|first1=Charles M.|last2=Barrett|first2=Priscilla|date=2008|publisher=[[New Holland Publishers]]|isbn=978-1-84537-735-9|location=London|pages=400|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sgQsHR-WnTUC&pg=PA170|title=Mammals of China|last1=Smith|first1=Andrew T.|last2=Xie|first2=Yan|date=2013|location=Princeton, New Jersey|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-4688-7|pages=170|language=en }}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qn1A9Y1OA2oC&pg=PA355 |page=353 |title=Elsevier's Dictionary of Mammals: in Latin, English, German, French and Italian |year=2007 |location=Amsterdam Boston, MA |publisher=[[Elsevier]] |editor-first=Murray |editor-last=Wrobel |isbn=978-0-08-048882-0}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=The Little-known Pika |first1=Robert Thomas |last1=Orr |edition=illustrated |location=New York |publisher=Macmillan|year=1977 |isbn=0-02-593960-2 }}
* 黄文几，陈延熹，温业新, 中国啮齿类, 上海:[[Fudan University Press]], 1995 (in Chinese).

==External links==
* {{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.eol.org/pages/984321/overview |title=Forrest's pika {{mdash}} ''Ochotona forresti'' |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Life]]}}
* {{cite web |url=http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/0MLagomorph/Ochotonidae/Ochotona/Ochotona_forresti.htm |title=Forrest's pika {{mdash}} ''Ochotona forresti'' |work=Wild Pro |access-date=2017-10-12 |archive-date=2019-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525164502/http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/0MLagomorph/Ochotonidae/Ochotona/Ochotona_forresti.htm }}

{{Lagomorpha|O.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q287788|from2=Q311599}}
{{Good article}}

[[Category:Pikas]]
[[Category:Mammals of Bhutan]]
[[Category:Mammals of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Mammals of China]]
[[Category:Mammals of India]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1923]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Oldfield Thomas]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

Forrest's pika - Revision history

Abhijit at 07:59, 19 January 2026