Analysis of the ant fauna of the Wanglang Nature Reserve, and adjacent areas, in Sichuan, China

Author of the article:LUO Cheng-Long；XU Zheng-Hui； ZHANG Xin-Min； QI Biao；RAN Mao-Jun；YUAN Ding-Yu

Author's Workplace：Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China；Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China；Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China；Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China；Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China；Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China

Key Words：Formicidae; fauna; nature reserve; Sichuan

Abstract：[Objectives]  To describe the ant fauna of the Wanglang Nature Reserve, and adjacent areas, in Sichuan Province. [Methods]  The sample-plot method was used to collect ant specimens. [Results]  77 ant species belonging to 5 subfamilies and 37 genera were collected, and their distribution, and the composition of genera and species, analyzed. [Conclusion]  The ant fauna of the nature reserve and adjacent areas has a transitional character, from Oriental to Palearctic, and a composition characteristic of Southwest China, Central China, North China, and Qinghai-Tibet. At the generic level, Oriental and Palearctic genera were the most common with the Oriental genera slightly more predominant, and Neotropical genera the least common. At the species level, Oriental species predominated followed by Palearctic species with Neotropical species the least common. The ant fauna of the Wanglang Nature Reserve and adjacent areas has a composition typical of Southwest China, similar to that of South China but most dissimilar to that of Northeast China.