TitleA new subspecies of large-eared pika, Ochotona macrotis (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae), from the Eastern Himalaya
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsLissovsky AA, McDonough M, Dahal N, Jin W, Liu S, Ruedas LA
JournalRussian J. Theriol
Volume16
Issue1
Pagination30–42
Date Published2017
Abstract

We examined 212 complete sequences of the cytochrome b gene for all pika species
(Lagomorpha: Ochotona) as well as 250 skulls of pikas from the eastern Himalayan region. The results of
our analyses suggest that a new and distinct subspecies of large-eared pika — Ochotona macrotis gomchee
ssp.n. occurs in Bhutan. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that this subspecies holds a sister-taxon
relationship to other O. macrotis. The cranial shape of O. m. gomchee ssp.n. is similar to that of remaining
O. macrotis; pelage colouration and ear length differentiate O. m. gomchee ssp.n. from all other representatives
of O. macrotis. We hypothesize that pikas from the Great Bend of the Tsangpo River, which were
previously assigned to O. forresti, in fact belong to O. macrotis; the correct name for that particular
subspecies is therefore amended to O. m. duoxionglaensis. The distributional ranges of O. m. gomchee
ssp.n. and O. m. duoxionglaensis are hypothesized to be separated by a broad matrix of unsuitable habitats.
How to cite this article: Lissovsky A.A., McDonough M., Dahal N., Jin Wei, Liu Shaoying, Ruedas L.A.
2017. A new subspecies of large-eared pika, Ochotona macrotis (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae), from the
Eastern Himalaya // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.16. No.1. P.30–42. doi: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.16.1.03

DOI10.15298/rusjtheriol.16.1.03