Steppe Pika Ochotona pusilla Pallas, 1769 (Lagomorpha, Ochotonidae) in the Samara Region: history of study, current distribution, analysis of existing threats and limiting factors

The steppe or small pika (Ochotona pusilla Pallas, 1769) is a unique species of pikas that survives in Europe. It is an important indicator of the health of steppe ecosystems and has been the subject of historical research in the Samara region. This article presents results from a study of the historical distribution of the species, its current range, and factors that affect its population size in the region. In the 18th century, the steppe pika was widely distributed in the Samara area. However, by the middle of the 20th century, its range had decreased significantly, and in some areas, the species had disappeared entirely. The main factors limiting the spread of the pika are habitat fragmentation, climate change, grazing, steppe fires, and human activities. New data on the habitat of the pika were collected during expeditions by the Samara Zoo and the Ecoton Laboratory for Environmental Biology. These expeditions provided valuable information about the species' current distribution and the factors that affect it. The study's findings indicate that the population of steppe pikas in the Samara region is stable and may have the potential to expand its range further in the northern and western directions.