We investigated the taxonomic position of Ochotona thibetana sikimaria, a pika subspecies with a disjunct range.
Our phylogenetic analyses confirm O. t. sikimaria as a cryptic species, sister to O. curzoniae and O. cansus, while morphologically similar to O. thibetana.
We propose this clade be recognised as a new species, and recommend naming it O. sikimaria.