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

作　　者：Joseph P.LAMBERT Xiaozheng ZHANG Kun SHI Philip RIORDAN 

机构地区：[1]Wildlife Institute,School of Nature Conservation,Beijing Forestry University,Beijing,China [2]Eco-Bridge Continental,Haidian District,Beijing,China [3]Marwell Wildlife,Winchester,Hampshire,UK

出　　处：《Integrative Zoology》2023年第1期110-128,共19页整合动物学（英文版）

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31470567);the 2nd National Assessment on terrestrial wildlife resources,Launched by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration(Grant No.012-LYSJWT-29 and 2017092302)。

摘　　要：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.

关 键 词：CONSERVATION LAGOMORPHA OCHOTONA PRIORITIZATION research allocation 

分 类 号：Q95[生物学—动物学]