Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Species Diversity of the Western Sichuan Plateau in China

Abstract

Abstract Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) diversity, with respect to elevation and the similarity of different ant communities therein, was identified in the southern portion of the Western Sichuan Plateau in China. Thirty plots were established in four elevation zones to serve as sampling areas for ants. We collected 19,235 ants in the survey. Those represented 68 species, 23 genera, and 4 subfamilies (including 13 undetermined species). The three dominant species in terms of abundance were Lasius himalayanus Bingham, Formica fusca L., and Myrmica kozlovi Ruzsky. We also found that the number of species, population density, the diversity, and dominance indices of the ant communities displayed a multidomain effect with an increase in elevation. The similarity coefficient of ant communities in each zone of elevation ([q] 0.2239–0.5217, medium similar level [occupying 17%], medium dissimilar level [occupying 50%], and dissimilar level [occupying 33%]) showed that differences in elevation and in habitat heterogeneity had a large impact on ant communities in the study area. Ant species diversity at each elevation sampled was not disturbed by human activities. The similarity coefficient of ant communities at the different zones of elevation was low. Therefore, ant species diversity was relatively high, indicating a higher conservation value in Sichuan Province.