Two New Species of Ochotona (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) From Xizang, China
ABSTRACT During small mammal faunal surveys conducted in the Xizang Autonomous Region, China, in 2003, 2023, and 2024, we collected two previously unidentifiable taxa of pikas (Ochotona). Phylogenetic analyses based on both mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences resolved these specimens as distinc...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71898 |
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| author | Xuan Pan Xuming Wang Robert W. Murphy Buqing Peng Zongyun Zhang Rui Liao Shunde Chen Shaoying Liu |
| author_facet | Xuan Pan Xuming Wang Robert W. Murphy Buqing Peng Zongyun Zhang Rui Liao Shunde Chen Shaoying Liu |
| author_sort | Xuan Pan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT During small mammal faunal surveys conducted in the Xizang Autonomous Region, China, in 2003, 2023, and 2024, we collected two previously unidentifiable taxa of pikas (Ochotona). Phylogenetic analyses based on both mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences resolved these specimens as distinct lineages within the O. macrotis and O. forresti species groups, both in the subgenus Conothoa. Morphological comparisons further supported their uniqueness. Consequently, we described them here as two new species. One new species, O. galunglaensis sp. nov., collected from Motuo and Bomi counties, exhibits the following diagnostic characteristics: (1) diminutive body size (mean head‐body length < 150 mm); (2) reduced auricular dimensions (ear length < 18 mm); (3) summer pelage exhibits brown‐red on top of head, beneath eyes, and shoulders; neck bears a gray patch and ventral light brown‐gray; (4) without oval foramen; foramina incisivum narrow and palatal foramina merged; and (5) premaxillae on both sides of foramina incisivum have a tendency to close in some specimens. The other new species, O. legbona sp. nov., collected from Cuona county, is unique as follows: (1) comparable head‐body length to O. macrotis, but with much shorter ears (mean 23 mm vs. 31–35 mm in congeners); (2) characteristic black vibrissae lining the inner pinnae; (3) summer pelage exhibits brown‐red on head, shoulder, and neck; ventral brown‐yellow; and (4) without oval foramen; foramina incisivum narrow and palatal foramina merged. Our findings highlight the previously underestimated diversity within Conothoa and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of pika diversity in the Himalayan region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9e13bc9f5b3743a3acfd7b47dc47be9a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-9e13bc9f5b3743a3acfd7b47dc47be9a2025-08-25T08:11:41ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582025-08-01158n/an/a10.1002/ece3.71898Two New Species of Ochotona (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) From Xizang, ChinaXuan Pan0Xuming Wang1Robert W. Murphy2Buqing Peng3Zongyun Zhang4Rui Liao5Shunde Chen6Shaoying Liu7Sichuan Academy of Forestry Chengdu Sichuan ChinaSichuan Academy of Forestry Chengdu Sichuan ChinaDepartment of Natural History Royal Ontario Museum Toronto Ontario CanadaSichuan Academy of Forestry Chengdu Sichuan ChinaSichuan Forestry and Grassland Survey and Planning Institute Chengdu Sichuan ChinaSichuan Academy of Forestry Chengdu Sichuan ChinaSichuan Normal University Chengdu Sichuan ChinaSichuan Academy of Forestry Chengdu Sichuan ChinaABSTRACT During small mammal faunal surveys conducted in the Xizang Autonomous Region, China, in 2003, 2023, and 2024, we collected two previously unidentifiable taxa of pikas (Ochotona). Phylogenetic analyses based on both mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences resolved these specimens as distinct lineages within the O. macrotis and O. forresti species groups, both in the subgenus Conothoa. Morphological comparisons further supported their uniqueness. Consequently, we described them here as two new species. One new species, O. galunglaensis sp. nov., collected from Motuo and Bomi counties, exhibits the following diagnostic characteristics: (1) diminutive body size (mean head‐body length < 150 mm); (2) reduced auricular dimensions (ear length < 18 mm); (3) summer pelage exhibits brown‐red on top of head, beneath eyes, and shoulders; neck bears a gray patch and ventral light brown‐gray; (4) without oval foramen; foramina incisivum narrow and palatal foramina merged; and (5) premaxillae on both sides of foramina incisivum have a tendency to close in some specimens. The other new species, O. legbona sp. nov., collected from Cuona county, is unique as follows: (1) comparable head‐body length to O. macrotis, but with much shorter ears (mean 23 mm vs. 31–35 mm in congeners); (2) characteristic black vibrissae lining the inner pinnae; (3) summer pelage exhibits brown‐red on head, shoulder, and neck; ventral brown‐yellow; and (4) without oval foramen; foramina incisivum narrow and palatal foramina merged. Our findings highlight the previously underestimated diversity within Conothoa and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of pika diversity in the Himalayan region.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71898Conothoamolecular phylogenymorphologynew speciesOchotona |
| spellingShingle | Xuan Pan Xuming Wang Robert W. Murphy Buqing Peng Zongyun Zhang Rui Liao Shunde Chen Shaoying Liu Two New Species of Ochotona (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) From Xizang, China Ecology and Evolution Conothoa molecular phylogeny morphology new species Ochotona |
| title | Two New Species of Ochotona (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) From Xizang, China |
| title_full | Two New Species of Ochotona (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) From Xizang, China |
| title_fullStr | Two New Species of Ochotona (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) From Xizang, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Two New Species of Ochotona (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) From Xizang, China |
| title_short | Two New Species of Ochotona (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) From Xizang, China |
| title_sort | two new species of ochotona mammalia lagomorpha from xizang china |
| topic | Conothoa molecular phylogeny morphology new species Ochotona |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71898 |
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