Ochotona turuchanensis

9.

Turuchan Pika

Ochotona turuchanensis

French: Pika de la Touroukhan / German: Turuchan-Pfeifhase / Spanish: Pica de Turujanks

Taxonomy. Ochotona (Pika) hyperborea turuchanensis Naumov, 1934,

“baxropust Yuamu, Hwxusiss Tynrycka, TypyxaHckuid kpai® (= Uchami outpost, Nizhnyaya Tunguska River, Turuchansk Territory), Evenkiysky District, Krasnoyarskiy Territory, Russia.

According to mtDNA and nDNA, O. turuchanensis belongs to subgenus Pika. It was described as a subspecies of O. hyperborea and was not considered as a separate taxon for a long time. Due to strong morphological similarity with O. Tatetion, O. turuchanensis was not even listed as a subspecies. Peculiarity of O. turuchanensis was discovered based on qualitative morphological traits and particular bioacoustic repertoire. Further study of mtDNA showed that O. turuchanensis is a sister taxon of O. alpina and not related to O. hyperborea. Both mtDNA and nDNA studies confirmed that O. turuchanensis is closely related to O. alpina, if a species at all. Placement of O. turuchanensis into O. alpina does not explain, however, its morphological similarities to O. hyperborea and its particular ecological preferences. Before merging these two taxa, a hypothesis about hybrid origin of O. turuchanensis should be tested. Ochotona turuchanensis is sympatric with O. hyperborea in the Putorana Plateau and adjacent regions of the central Siberian Plateau in the Nizhnyaya Tunguska River Basin. Monotypic.

Distribution. Widely distributed in C Siberia between middle and lower Yenisey River and Lena River, Russia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 160-220 mm, ear 16-24 mm, hindfoot 25-30 mm; weight 113-171 g. The Turuchan Pika is medium-sized. Dorsal and ventral fur is ocherous rufous, with darker dorsal stripe. Winter fur is longer, softer, and lighter than during other seasons. Hairs above neck gland are chestnut. Melanistic individuals are known. Ears are rounded, with white margins. Skull is medium-sized and stout, with incisive and palatal foramens separated. Auditory bullae are mediumsized. Condylobasal lengths are 37-43 mm, skull widths are 19-22 mm, and skull heights are 14-15 mm. The Turuchan Pika is smaller than the Alpine Pika (O. alpina). Based on general outward appearance,it is impossible to differentiate it from the Northern Pika (O. hyperborea); smooth shape of suture between maxillary and premaxillary bones of Turuchan Pika is the best feature to tell the species apart.

Habitat. Big open talus on slopes of terraces in northern parts of the Putorana Plateau and adjacent uplands and hilltops near spring sources and big rocks, with trails of descending stones overgrown with taiga in the southern forested parts of distribution, at elevations of 100-1100 m. The Turuchan Pika prefers talus with big stones and avoids unsteady screes. Typical rock dweller, it lives among rocky hollows and crevices. In years of high density, it occupies trunk heaps and fallen root oftrees.

Food and Feeding. The Turuchan Pika feeds on green plants and also eats some mushrooms and lichens. It stores hay in hay piles. Hay hoarding starts in July, resulting an average of ¢.20 small hay piles of ¢.100 g. Composition of hay piles generally corresponds to that of local vegetation, but there are some preferred and avoided species. The Turuchan Pika hoards herbs, leaves of trees and bushes, lichens, and cryptogams. Hay piles are usually situated underflat stones.

Breeding. Pregnant Turuchan Pikas occur from mid-June to mid-August; thus, breeding probably starts in May. Mating takes place when snow cover isstill stable. Each female has 2-5 embryos and breeds once per year. Young Turuchan Pikas emerge aboveground in mid-July onward.

Activity patterns. The Turuchan Pika is diurnal. Most Turuchan Pikas live under long polar days in summer and long polar nights in winter. The Turuchan Pika avoids midday heat and windy weather; it is easily visible and makes loud calls.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Turuchan Pika moves aboveground by running and leaping openly. Preferred locations are used for sunbathing. Home ranges were 2300-3500 m* in one study. Home ranges of males and females slightly overlap. Densities are 7-240 ind/km?®. Areas occupied are marked with old hay piles and latrines. Special markings are characteristic of the Turuchan Pika: piles offecal pellets, surrounded by red crustose lichen. The Turuchan Pika has well-developed vocalizations, including alarm calls and songs. Its song resembles that of the Alpine Pika, but time-frequency curves of song elements are very different. Nests of Turuchan Pikas are situated under stones.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Dubrovsckiy et al. (2000), Lissovsky (2003a, 2004b, 2005), Lissovsky & Lissovskaya (2002), Lissovsky et al. (2007), Melo-Ferreira et al. (2015).