ILI PIKA

(Ochotona iliensis)

ABOUT THE ILI PIKA

Native to the Tian Shan Mountains in the Xinjiang Uygar Autonomous Region of northwest China, the Ili pika (Ochotona iliensis) is the most rare of pika species in the family Ochotonidae (Li & Smith, 2019). Inhabiting high-altitude talus rock walls and cliff faces on mountain peaks, the species has evolved to live in cold climates (National Park Service, 2019). Along with a high metabolism, its thick, brightly colored coat of grey and rusty red helps keep its body temperature at 104ºF (Li & Smith, 2005; National Park Service, 2019). As one of the larger pikas, its approximately 8 inch tall round, stocky body weighs around 6 ounces at maturity (Animalia, 2023b; Li & Smith, 2005).

The Ili pika is a highly alert mammal with excellent vision, a strong sense of smell and sensitive hearing through its round, short ears (Animalia 2023a; Li & Ma, 1986). An herbivorous species, it feeds primarily on plants, twigs, sedges and flowers (Li & Ma, 1986). Since the species does not hibernate, it collects and stores vegetation in caches called haypiles that provide nutrients for survival over the course of the alpine winters (National Park Service, 2019).

(Nat Geo Wild, 2018)

DISCOVERING THE ILI PIKA

In 1983, scientist and conservationist Li Weidong was in the Tian Shan Mountains researching disease prevention (BBC, 2015). While exploring a valley by Jilimalale Mountain, he happened across a small and unique animal peeking out from a crack in the talus rock. Noticing it was a species he had never observed before, he brought a sample back from the mountain and consulted experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Geography Scout, 2021). After three years studying the animal and piecing together its traits, he realized he discovered a new species: the Ili pika (BBC, 2015; Geography Scout, 2021). He named the species after the area where it was found, the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, which is also his hometown (BBC, 2015). Below is a photograph of Li Weidong in the mountains of the Ili Prefecture pointing in the direction of the location where the Ili pika was initially discovered.

(BBC, 2015)

ENDANGERED STATUS

(International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2022)

Over the last 40 years, populations of the Ili pika have dramatically declined, specifically due to the species’ low population density and reproductive rate (Li & Smith, 2005). The intensification of global warming and natural temperature sensitivity of the Ili pika has caused the species to retreat further upslope where it is running out of habitat with nowhere to go (Li & Smith, 2005; Li & Smith, 2015). Habitat loss from increased livestock grazing pressure has resulted in a detrimental interaction to the species’ usual population dynamics (Li & Smith, 2015). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Ili pika is considered Endangered under criteria A2abc with a decreasing population trend (Li & Smith, 2019).

IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION

Being an advocate for animals—especially those of special endangered status—has been a fundamental aspect of my life since a young age. As a member of the World Lagomorph Society, I enjoy researching the various species of pikas, hares and rabbits. Upon initially reading about the Ili pika in a scholarly journal, the significance of saving the species was immediately evident as it is on the brink of extinction with less than 1,000 individuals remaining (Li & Smith, 2019). With low heat tolerance, the Ili pika requires a habitat with low temperatures and has been observed migrating upward on mountains to ensure its habitat is cold enough for survival (Li & Ma, 1986; Li & Smith, 2005). However, increased warming from climate change is causing an inability for the species to retreat higher (Li & Smith, 2005). Thus, the uncertain future of the Ili pika depends on conservation. Please visit the Conservation page of this website for more information.

Along with Conservation, this website covers the Biology, Evolution and Ecology of the Ili pika. Over time, the species has evolved and adapted to living in cold climates (National Park Service, 2019). Its biological adaptations include a high metabolism and thick coat for warmth (Li & Smith, 2005). In its alpine ecosystem, the Ili pika is considered an ecosystem engineer as it modifies the environment through its activities, building and maintaining habitats for other species (Aho et al., 1998; Jones et al., 1994). This necessary ecological role provides further validation as to why conservation of the species is imperative.

Special thanks to the Unity Environmental Consulting Group [UECG] for considering the Ili pika for habitat protection.

— Melissa VanAllen, Ili Pika Researcher, Web Designer and

Temporary Biological Conservation Assessment Specialist

REFERENCES

Aho, K., Huntly, N., Moen, J., & Oksanen, T. (1998). Pikas (Ochotona princeps: Lagomorpha) as allogenic engineers in an alpine ecosystem. Oecologia, 114(3), 405–409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420050463

Animalia. (2023a). Collared pika. https://animalia.bio/collared-pika

Animalia. (2023b). Ili pika. https://animalia.bio/ili-pika

Arnold, C. (2015, March 19). Unbelievably cute mammal with teddy bear face rediscovered [Photograph]. National Geographic Society. https://nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150319-china-ili-pika-animals-conservation-science-rare-species

BBC. (2015, March 26). China’s Ili pika: The ‘magic bunny’ goes viral. https://bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-32079630

Geography Scout. (2021, August 28). The unbelievably cute endangered Ili pika. https://geographyscout.com/animals/the-unbelievably-cute-endangered-ili-pika

International Union for Conservation of Nature. (2022). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://iucnredlist.org

Jones, C. G., Lawton, J. H., & Shachak, M. (1994). Organisms as ecosystem engineers. Oikos, 69(3), 373–386. https://doi.org/10.2307/3545850

Li, W. D., & Ma, Y. (1986). A new species of Ochotonidae, Lagomorpha. Acta Zoologica Sinica, 32, 375–379.

Li, W. D., & Smith, A. T. (2005). Dramatic decline of the threatened Ili pika Ochotona iliensis (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae) in Xinjiang, China. Oryx 39(1) 30–34. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605305000062

Li, W. D., & Smith, A. T. (2015). In search of the illusive and iconic Ili Pika (Ochotona iliensis). Mountain Views Chronicle, 9, 21–27.

Li, W. D., & Smith, A. T. (2019). Ochotona iliensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019, e.T15050A45179204. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T15050A45179204.en

Lu, S., & Hunt, K. (2015, March 24). Meet the animal that's rarer - and cuter - than a panda [Photograph]. CNN. https://cnn.com/2015/03/23/asia/china-endangered-pika

Nat Geo Wild. (2018, June 17). See extremely rare video of teddy-bear like mammal [Video]. YouTube. https://youtube.com/watch?v=0QIm2b643vU

National Park Service. (2019, September 12.) Pikas resource brief. U. S. Department of the Interior. https://www.nps.gov/articles/pikas-brief.htm

BIOLOGY

EVOLUTION

ECOLOGY

CONSERVATION

Unity College BIOL105

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