The pikas of China: a review of current research priorities and challenges for conservation

Of the approximately 30 extant species of pika (Ochotona; Ochotonidae; Lagomorpha), at least 23 occur in China. Of these, 8 are endemic, and 3 are classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Research into most Chinese species is scarce, and there is much to learn about basic aspects of their ecology. We reviewed the literature on the 23 Chinese Ochotona species, with the aim of highlighting knowledge gaps and biases in research allocation. Specifically, we identify (1) which pika species receive the most attention from researchers, (2) which topics are the most frequently studied, and (3) how well research satisfies conservation priorities. We covered a total of 879 articles, most of which were written in English or Chinese. Around 75% of all publications focused on the plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae. Seven species were represented by 10 or fewer publications each. Endangered and endemic species were particularly poorly represented. 204 papers treated pikas as a pest, while 13 studied conservation issues. Nine species were considered possible targets for pest control, including some poorly known endemics. We make some recommendations on how research into Chinese Ochotona could be improved, including: (1) recognizing that the current species-level taxonomy may be an ineffective way to prioritize conservation research in Ochotona, (2) directing more research toward threatened and endemic species, subspecies, and populations, (3) researching the ecosystem engineering effects of pikas, (4) collecting basic data on natural history of the many understudied species, and (5) researching threats, including climate change and pest control campaigns.     

Effects of plateau pika on the relationship between plant species diversity and functional diversity in alpine meadow北大核心CSCD

The relationship between plant species diversity and functional diversity in grassland will change with environmental changes. The plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） has an effect on the hydrothermal process of alpine meadow in its nesting area. However,it is not clear whether the disturbance of plateau pika effects the relationship between plant species diversity and functional diversity in alpine meadow. A random stratified and paired design was used to select plots in Luqu county in Gansu Province,and Qilian and Gonghe Counties in Qinghai Province and a field survey was conducted to investigate the effects of plateau pika disturbance on the relationship between plant species diversity and functional diversity of the alpine meadow. It was found that plateau pika disturbance significantly increased the plant species richness index and the species diversity index but did not significantly affect the species evenness index. Plateau pika disturbance significantly increased plant functional richness index （P< 0.05） but had no significant effect on the plant functional evenness index or the functional divergence index. With plateau pika disturbance effects,the relationship between plant functional richness index and species richness index changed from a logarithmic function to a quadratic function,and the relationship between plant functional evenness index and species evenness index changed from non-significant to significantly positive. In addition, positive correlations between functional richness index and species richness index,and functional richness index and species diversity index were significantly decreased,as were negative correlations between functional divergence index and species richness index,and functional divergence index and species diversity index were significantly decreased. The findings of this study provide basic information for understanding the mechanism of species coexistence of plant communities under plateau pika disturbance and help understanding of how plant diversity effects in an alpine meadow ecosystem function under plateau pika disturbance. © 2022 Editorial Office of Acta Prataculturae Sinica. All rights reserved.     

Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in plateau pika (Ochotona dauurica)

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is present exclusively in brown adipose tissue, and contributes to body temperature control during cold exposure. We cloned UCP1 cDNA of plateau pika (Ochotona dauurica), a small, non-hibernating, diurnal lagomorph that inhabits in relatively cold climates and at high altitudes in Mongolia and in northern China. The nucleotide sequence of pika UCP1 was highly homologous to UCP1 of other species, and the deduced amino acid sequence had some common domains for UCP, including six mitochondrial carrier protein motifs and a putative purine-nucleotide binding site. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that both UCP1 mRNA and protein were expressed exclusively in the interscapular adipose tissue. These results suggest that pika UCP1 contributes to heat production in brown adipose tissue, as do those in other species.     

Evolution for extreme living: variation in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase genes correlated with elevation in pikas (genus Ochotona)

The genus Ochotona (pikas) is a clade of cold‐tolerant lagomorphs that includes many high‐elevation species. Pikas offer a unique opportunity to study adaptations and potential limitations of an ecologically important mammal to high‐elevation hypoxia. We analyzed the evolution of 3 mitochondrial genes encoding the catalytic core of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in 10 pika species occupying elevations from sea level to 5000 m. COX is an enzyme highly reliant on oxygen and essential for cell function. One amino acid property, the equilibrium constant (ionization of COOH), was found to be under selection in the overall protein complex. We observed a strong relationship between the net value change in this property and the elevation each species occupies, with higher‐elevation species having potentially more efficient proteins. We also found evidence of selection in low‐elevation species for potentially less efficient COX, perhaps trading efficiency for heat production in the absence of hypoxia. Our results suggest that different pika species may have evolved elevation‐specific COX proteins, specialization that may indicate limitations in their ability to shift their elevational ranges in response to future climate change.     

Functional‐trait ecology of the plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau ecosystem

Understanding a species' functional traits allows for a directed and productive perspective on the role a species plays in nature, and thus its relative importance to conservation planning. The functional‐trait ecology of the plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae is examined to better understand the resilience and sustainability of the high alpine grasslands of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The key functional traits of plateau pikas are their abundance and behavior of digging extensive burrow systems. Plateau pikas have been poisoned over a significant part of their original geographic distribution across the QTP, allowing comparison of ecological communities with and without pikas. Nearly all mammalian and avian carnivores, most of which are obligate predators on pikas, have been lost in regions where pikas have been poisoned. Most endemic birds on the QTP nest in pika burrows; when pikas are poisoned, burrows collapse, and these birds are greatly reduced in number. Due to the biopedturbation resulting from their burrows, regional plant species richness is higher in areas with pikas than without. The presence of pika burrows allows higher rates of infiltration during heavy monsoon rains compared to poisoned areas, possibly mitigating runoff and the potential for serious downslope erosion and flooding. Thus, the functional traits of plateau pikas enhance native biodiversity and other important ecosystem functions; these traits are irreplaceable. As plateau pikas are not natural colonizers, active re‐introduction programs are needed to restore pikas to areas from which they have been poisoned to restore the important functional ecological traits of pikas.     

高原鼠兔鼠丘覆压对鼠丘上植被重建的影响研究

本研究以青海省河南县高山嵩草高寒草甸高原鼠兔鼠丘为研究对象,进行鼠丘覆压植被模拟试验,探究萌出植物群落的物种组成、物种多样性、植被覆盖度以及原生植被对鼠丘植物群落重建的贡献率,为鼠丘植被恢复演替提供依据。结果显示：随着鼠丘形成时间的推移,萌出植物主要为多年生杂类草;鼠丘覆压1-2年后萌出植物群落的辛普森指数、香农威纳指数、丰富度指数与均匀度指数整体表现为先快速上升后趋于缓和;被覆压的原生植被对鼠丘植物群落重建的贡献在物种组成上达到47.1%~64.7%。随着鼠丘形成时间的延长,鼠丘向有植被定居的恢复演替方向发展,植被覆盖度逐渐增加。     

高原鼠兔干扰对青海湖流域高山嵩草草甸植物多样性及地上生物量的影响

采用堵洞法设置高原鼠兔干扰区和非干扰区,然后在干扰区和非干扰区内利用样方法研究了高原鼠兔干扰对青海湖流域高山嵩草草甸植物多样性和地上生物量的影响。结果表明,植物物种多样性和不同植物功能群多样性对高原鼠兔干扰的响应并不一致,其中干扰增加了杂类草功能群丰富度指数与物种丰富度指数,降低了物种均匀度指数、莎草科功能群丰富度指数和禾草科功能群均匀度指数(P<0.05)。干扰区内物种均匀度指数、物种丰富度指数和杂类草功能群丰富度指数随干扰强度增加而呈增加趋势,但禾草科功能群均匀度指数却呈显著降低趋势。虽然高原鼠兔干扰显著降低了植物群落总生物量,莎草科、禾草科和豆科功能群生物量(P<0.05),但显著增加了杂类草功能群生物量(P<0.05)。干扰区随干扰程度增加,莎草科功能群和豆科功能群生物量逐渐降低,杂类草功能群生物量逐渐增加,而禾草科功能群生物量则先增加后降低。鉴于高山嵩草草甸植物群落物种多样性和功能多样性对高原鼠兔干扰的响应不一致,植物物种多样性和功能群多样性之间不能互相替代。     

高原鼠兔对西藏邦杰塘高寒草甸的影响

高原鼠兔是西藏高寒草甸的优势物种之一,其摄食和掘穴活动加快了邦杰塘高寒草甸退化速度,制约着当地草牧业的可持续发展。鉴于此,以林芝市工布江达县松多三村的冬季牧场作为试验地,以高原鼠兔活动为主要影响因素,初步探索高原鼠兔活动对不同退化程度的高寒草甸的影响。以期为邦杰塘天然草地的高原鼠兔防控和草地管理提供科学依据。研究表明,围栏外(A样地)的平均高原鼠兔鼠总洞数和有效鼠洞数均大于围栏内(B样地),A样地鼠兔掘穴土丘占地面积、洞口面积和草地占地面积也均大于B样地。高原鼠兔对植被有显著影响,表现为草地生物量减少,地上生物量干湿比增大,植物Gleason丰富度指数增加。在样地植物密度和种类基本一致的情况下,高原鼠兔的活动致使土壤种子库密度减少,尤以根茎型植物为最;地上地下植被Sorensen相似性指数减小,降低了草地根茎型植被更新潜力;其中A样地鼠区土壤种子密度仅为3 929.3粒·m^-2,显著低于B样地鼠区;同时鼠区土壤种子库中的根茎型牧草物种数占保护区的40%。说明高原鼠兔对两种不同退化程度的高寒草甸的影响不同,对轻微退化高寒草甸地表特征、植被特征和土壤种子库的影响小于对重度退化高寒草甸的影响。     

高原鼠兔（Ochotona curzoniae）的生态功能

高原鼠兔作为青藏高原上广泛分布的小型穴居植食性哺乳动物受到了人们的广泛关注。其植食性特点和挖掘活动对高寒草地植被、生物多样性、物质循环等方面具有重要影响,但这种影响对青藏高原草地生态系统的利弊还存在较大争议。一方面认为,高原鼠兔可提高栖息地植被的丰度;维持生态系统的多样性,为捕食者提供食物资源,也为许多其他动物提供栖息地;同时,其挖掘活动会对土壤产生扰动,增加土壤的渗透力和含水量,促进物质循环。另一方面,有学者认为,高原鼠兔会破坏植物根系和土壤结构,加快土壤的侵蚀速度,降低栖息地的植被质量,并且和家畜争夺食物资源等。过去,高原鼠兔一直被作为草原＂鼠害＂的元凶,遭到人类大规模捕杀,造成种群数量大幅降低。在高原鼠兔对生态系统作用的认识有待进一步加强的背景下,应更加谨慎地制定和实施高原鼠兔的管理工作。     

基于旋翼无人机低空遥感的高原鼠兔危害等级划分技术研究

高原鼠兔是青藏高原特有的小型啮齿动物,是高寒草地生态系统的关键种。科学合理防控高原鼠兔危害,对其危害程度开展监测和评价十分必要。通过无人机空中遥感平台并结合地面调查,以甘肃省玛曲县高原鼠兔危害草地为研究对象,选择不同危害程度的典型样地,采用自主设计的软件提取无人机影像中高原鼠兔洞口数、地上生物量、草地盖度等指标;构建了由洞口数、地上生物量、盖度和可食牧草比例组成的高原鼠兔危害等级综合指标体系,并对研究区样地进行危害等级划分。最终形成一套适用于高原鼠兔危害的低空遥感监测方法,可为后期高效、准确监测高原鼠兔危害提供有力的技术支持。主要结果如下：1）经实地人工调查结果验证,无人机影像洞口数量和植被盖度解译精度分别达到95%和93%。2）筛选了可见光波段差值植被指数VDVI作为估测地上生物量的最佳植被指数,并构建了估测模型。经实地调查验证平均精度为86.54%。3）构建了综合危害指数DRI,并提出了划分危害级别的各指标量化值。通过聚类分析将研究区鼠害地划分为5个等级,即I-无危害草地,Ⅱ-轻度危害草地,Ⅲ-中度危害草地,Ⅳ-重度危害草地,V-极度危害草地。     

高原鼠兔干扰对高寒草甸植物群落多样性和稳定性的影响

物种多样性和功能冗余是评价植物群落稳定性的重要内容。采用野外调查方法研究了高原鼠兔干扰对高寒草甸植物群落物种多样性、功能多样性、功能冗余和植物群落稳定性的影响。结果表明:高原鼠兔干扰增加了物种丰富度指数、功能多样性和功能冗余,降低了物种多样性指数、均匀度指数和植物群落稳定性。随高原鼠兔干扰强度增加,植物群落多样性指数、丰富度指数、功能冗余和植物群落稳定性呈先增大后减小的变化趋势,说明高原鼠兔干扰对植物群落物种多样性和稳定性的影响不仅要考虑干扰与否,而且要考虑干扰强度。     

Comparative Study of Erythrocyte Glycolytic Enzymes in Man and in Two Species of Lagomorphae

The authors made a comparative study of red cell enzyme glycolysis in man and in two species of Lagomorphae, the pika and the rabbit. The activities of the 12 enzymes of Embden-Meyerhoff pathway and of the two dehydrogenases of pentose shunt (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) were determined. Phosphoglycerate kinase and pyruvate kinase showed quite similar activities in pika erythrocytes and in erythrocytes from human umbilical cord. The levels of these enzymes differed significantly in the pika and in the rabbit. No differences were noted between pyruvate kinases from the rabbit and the neonatal man. The other activities gave values either identical to those found in the adult man or intermediate between the adult and the neonatal man. In the rabbit the levels of glycolitic enzymes were generally lower than in the pika except for lactate dehydrogenase and glycose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Some characteristics of erythrocyte metabolism specific to the pika may account for the differences observed in this species. The influence of red cell age cannot explain the variations observed for no significant reticulocytosis was observed in the circulating blood. The percentages found in the pika and the rabbit were essentially identical at determination.     

高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠在高寒草甸中的作用

作为青藏高原高寒草甸生态系统组分的关键种,高原鼠兔Ochotona curzoniae和高原鼢鼠Myospalaxbaileyi在高寒草甸生态系统物质循环和能量流动中具有重要作用。虽然高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠数量极端扩张后所产生的消极影响已被广泛认识,但其行为活动对生态系统土壤和植被的积极作用也不容忽略。通过简述青藏高原地区危害最严重的高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠的生物学特征,全面分析了这2个种群的行为活动对高寒草甸生态系统植被和土壤的双重作用,指出这2个种群在适宜范围内对高寒草甸植被群落结构的种类组成、多样性、生物量及种子传播具有一定的积极效应,但当种群密度过大便会对高寒草甸生态系统的植被和土壤产生巨大的消极作用,加速植被和土壤退化。高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠活动利害转变的关键在于确定种群致灾密度,从而发挥其积极作用,维持高寒草甸生态系统的平衡。     

高原鼠兔对高寒草甸草地影响的试验初报

在高原鼠兔中等危害的高寒草甸草地上,用1cm孔径的网片围笼隔离害鼠,再用常规围栏隔离家畜进行测产试验,结果表明：A处理（无害鼠无家畜）的总产草产量、可食牧草产量均高于B处理（有害鼠无家畜）,经t检验。产草量、可食牧草量差异极显著（P＜0．01）;B处理的不食毒杂草占总产草量的比率高出A处理7.14个百分点;证明高原鼠兔对高寒草甸草地牧草生长有抑制作用,同时对草群结构也有影响。     

甘南草原3种啮齿动物的食性及其营养生态位特征

研究啮齿动物的食性及其营养生态位特征不仅可以了解高寒草甸环境变化下物种的食性适应特征,还可探讨多种啮齿动物的种间关系。本研究采用粪便显微组织观察法,分析了甘南草原高原鼠兔（Ochotona curzoniae）、高原鼢鼠（Eospalax baileyi）和喜马拉雅旱獭（Marmota himalayana）3种啮齿动物的食性及营养生态位特征。结果发现：3种啮齿动物所采食的植物种类基本相同,但其比例各异;高原鼢鼠所采食的植物主要是珠芽蓼（Polygonum viviparum）和鹅绒委陵菜（Potentilla anserina）等杂类草,且对莎草科（Cyperaceae）植物的采食量显著高于其它两种动物,高原鼠兔主要采食禾本科（Poaceae）植物,喜马拉雅旱獭则主要采食禾本科和菊科（Asteraceae）植物;营养生态位宽度依次为喜马拉雅旱獭>高原鼢鼠>高原鼠兔,其中高原鼠兔与喜马拉雅旱獭的营养生态位重叠最大（0.52）。3种啮齿动物在食物上存在分化,营养生态位分离,是其共存的重要原因。     

若尔盖高寒退化湿地土壤碳氮磷比及相关性分析

以若尔盖花湖湿地保护区高寒草甸—高寒草原空间演替为研究对象,结合草地利用现状及微地形分布,遴选出5个高寒退化湿地类型进行鼠类洞穴密度和土壤碳、氮、磷含量的调查取样并进行相关性分析。结果表明,5个样地土壤表层(0～10 cm)碳、氮平均含量分布范围分别为3.7%～4.9%和0.38%～0.56%,样地间差异不显著(P＞0.05),磷元素含量由坡地区(样地Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ)向平地区(样地Ⅳ、Ⅴ)呈递增趋势,差异性显著(P＜0.05);0~40 cm土壤碳氮比(C/N)为11.01,样地间差异不显著(P＞0.05),碳磷比(C/P)为 62.3、氮磷比(N/P) 为5.69,样地间均差异显著(P＜0.05);土壤碳、氮、磷含量及碳氮比、氮磷比均随土层加深呈降低趋势,其中有机碳含量减少4.36%,0～10 cm表层土壤碳氮比显著高于深层土壤(P＜0.05);鼠类洞穴密度与碳磷比、全磷具有极显著的正相关,而土层深度与所有碳、氮、磷化学计量特征都具有极显著的负相关性。研究结果将为鼠害防控及草地营养循环、碳源/汇转化机制、退化草地植被恢复、土壤养分管理提供理论依据。     

高寒草甸植物群落结构对高原鼠兔种群密度的影响

利用草地改良措施探讨了禾草补播和人工草地建植对高原鼠兔种群密度的影响,以期为有害啮齿动物的植被调控提供理论依据。在高原鼠兔分布密集草地建立围栏样地50 hm²,同时在围栏内选择20 hm²样地进行垂穗披碱草补播和人工草地建植,探讨草地植物群落结构的变化对高原鼠兔种群密度的影响。结果表明,鼠害草地、补播草地和人工草地除物种数外,物种多样性指数(H')、植被盖度、密度、高度和地上生物量均表现出显著差异(P<0.01)。其中物种多样性指数表现为补播草地>鼠害草地>人工草地;植被盖度、密度、高度和地上生物量均表现为人工草地>补播草地>鼠害草地。群落中垂穗披碱草所占比重亦大不相同,鼠害草地中垂穗披碱草比重不足10%,而补播草地和人工草地群落中,垂穗披碱草比重分别达50%和90%以上。不论是总洞口数还是有效洞口数,在3种草地中都存在显著差异,总洞口数变化在35~411,其中,鼠害草地的总洞口数是补播草地的2.28倍,是垂穗披碱草草地的11.74倍;有效洞口数变化在11~188,鼠害草地是补播草地的2.26倍,是垂穗披碱草草地的17.09倍,表明垂穗披碱草群落对高原鼠兔有显著的抑制作用。此外,高原鼠兔种群密度与草地植被特征间有不同的关系。无论是总洞口数还是有效洞口数与植物物种数间均无显著相关关系,与H'间则呈二次函数关系;高原鼠兔总洞口数及有效洞口数分别与植被盖度、密度、高度及地上生物量呈显著负相关关系。此结果表明,相对于鼠害严重草地,无论是补播草地,还是人工种植草地,植物群落结构的变化对鼠兔种群密度都有重要的影响。     

高原鼠兔对退化草地人工植被稳定性的影响

对高原鼠兔活动在“黑土型”退化草地上建植的人工草地上用堵洞法进行了调查研究,结果表明:当高原鼠兔的有效洞口密度达到60个/hm2时,人工草地优良牧草的地上植物量只有未危害草地的12%,牧草高度、盖度、密度均有大幅度下降;当达到80个/hm2时,优良牧草的地上植物量只有未危害草地的4%,牧草高度、盖度、密度进一步下降,人工草地开始向建植前的“黑土滩”演替。高原鼠兔通过对人工草地种群特征、物种多样性、土壤结构等方面的影响,来制约人工群落的稳定性与可持续发展。     

高原鼠兔影响高寒草甸生态系统服务价值的评价方法

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)干扰与高寒草甸生态系统服务价值的关系,是全面评价高原鼠兔在高寒草甸生态系统中地位和角色的途径之一.本研究采用单位面积价值当量因子法和单位服务功能价格法,同步评价了高原鼠兔干扰对青藏高原高寒草甸家畜食物生产、水源涵养、碳固持、土壤养分物质循环和物种多样性维持等服务价值的影响...     

氯敌鼠钠盐防治草地害鼠药效试验

氯敌鼠钠盐杀鼠剂在我省青南牧区典型的高寒草甸草地上，对高原鼠兔具有良好的防治效果。以０．０７％剂量的燕麦毒饵，平均校正灭洞率为９０．８０％，且具有适口性好，使用方便，比较安全等特点。