Distribution of Royle’s Pika Ochotona roylei in Parvati Kunda Groundwater Complex

Royle’s Pika Ochotona roylei is high altitude animal belonging to the family Ochotonidae in order Lagomorpha. Royle’s Pika was reported in different locations between an elevation of 2180 to 5950 meters above sea level (m asl). This study carried in February and October 2017 recorded a small population of Royle’s Pika in the Parvati Kunda Groundwater Complex of Gatlang village in Rasuwa District, Nepal. A total of 12 Royle’s pika individuals were head counted from three sites while Pika foraged plants were observed in other sites. Pika was observed in talus groove amidst Rhododendron-fir forest, Fir-hemlock forest, and Rhododendron shrub close to the alpine meadow. Pika in the study was distributed from the Parvati Kunda wetland proximity at an elevation of 2605 m with a direct count of 2 individuals to an elevation of 3000 m asl beneath Tshumer hill with a headcount of 7 individuals. However, the population of Royle’s Pika in the area was estimated more. The population density of 6 individuals/hectare was calculated in the area, which is relatively lower than the population density accounted for in other areas.

Observation of Royle’s Pika (Ochotona roylei) in Api Nampa Conservation Area, Far Western Region, Nepal

This study was carried out on the southern base of Mt. Api in Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA) during June of 2012 and 2013. Pikas were observed for their population and behaviors. Feeding behavior was observed on more than 23 plants species including poisonous species to cattle. Pikas raid the human supply sometime peeping into human shelter. Local people use pika meat to cure some diseases. J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 27, 2013: 78-86

POPULATION AND COMPARATIVE BEHAVIOUR OF OCHOTONA ROYLEI AND OCHOTONA MACROTIS IN GOSAINKUNDA AREA, LANGTANG NATIONAL PARK, NEPAL

Study on the behavior of pika (Ochotona roylei and O. macrotis) was carried out during the monthsof July and August 2011 in Gosainkunda, Langtang National Park (LNP), Nepal. Pika inhabits in thetalus habitats of the alpine area. Tharepati (3651 m asl), Phedi (3825 m asl), Gosainkunda (4436 masl), and Laurebina (3903 m asl) were selected for behavior recording. Quadrates of 50 m × 50 mwere randomly plotted at each site except in Phedi. Only two species of pika were recorded in thoseareas: Ochotona macrotis was 75 individuals and Ochotona roylei 49 individuals. The ratio of agegroup adult and infant in O. macrotis was 29:46 and O. roylei 16:33 population with density 21/haand14/ha, respectively. Eleven pikas were observed for 455 min to record their behaviour from 5:30AM to 19:30 PM in each day. Feeding, foraging, musing, grooming, chasing each other (playing)were the recorded behavior. They were active at dawn and dusk but were not observed during rainyperiod. They spent their 26% of time in feeding, 24% in musing, 16% in foraging, and 11% ingrooming. Pikas were observed digging soft rocks, soil and mosses on the rock before dischargingpellets.Study on the behavior of pika (Ochotona roylei and O. macrotis) was carried out during the months of July and August 2011 in Gosainkunda, Langtang National Park (LNP), Nepal. Pika inhabits in the talus habitats of the alpine area. Tharepati (3651 m asl), Phedi (3825 m asl), Gosainkunda (4436 m asl), and Laurebina (3903 m asl) were selected for behavior recording. Quadrates of 50 m × 50 m were randomly plotted at each site except in Phedi. Only two species of pika were recorded in those areas: Ochotona macrotis was 75 individuals and Ochotona roylei 49 individuals. The ratio of age group adult and infant in O. macrotis was 29:46 and O. roylei 16:33 population with density 21/ha and14/ha, respectively. Eleven pikas were observed for 455 min to record their behaviour from 5:30 AM to 19:30 PM in each day. Feeding, foraging, musing, grooming, chasing each other (playing) were the recorded behavior. They were active at dawn and dusk but were not observed during rainy period. They spent their 26% of time in feeding, 24% in musing, 16% in foraging, and 11% in grooming. Pikas were observed digging soft rocks, soil and mosses on the rock before discharging pellets. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/eco.v19i0.9853EcoprintAn International Journal of EcologyVol. 19, 2012Page: 57-62Uploaded date: 2/14/2014