Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8: 239-249; printable

 

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.25849/myrmecol.news_008:239
  • Open Access: CC BY 4.0
  • Author: Fellowes, J.R.
  • Year: 2006
  • Title: Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) genera in southern China: Observations on the Oriental-Palaearctic boundary
  • Journal: Myrmecological News
  • Volume: 8
  • Pages: 239-249
  • Type of contribution: Original Article
  • Supplementary material: Yes
  • Abstract: To help draw the boundary between the Palaearctic and Oriental for ants (Formicidae) in China, distribution records were compiled. Of 67 Oriental genera in East Asia, 34 (51 %) reach no higher than 25° N, the median reach. Of 11 Palaearctic genera six (55 %) are known no further south than 31° N, the median reach for these taxa, and none south of 22° N. Richness of Oriental genera exceeded that of Palaearctic genera below about 37° N. Distribution data were organised by both 5° latitudinal band and by January mean minimum temperature band, and bands were compared using Simple Matching Coefficients of Similarity, non-metric Multidimensional Scaling, and cluster analysis. By all these approaches the greatest separation was around 25 to 26° N, but was disproportionately influenced by Oriental taxa. The proportion of East Asian Palaearctic genera exceeded the proportion of East Asian Oriental genera at around 28° N, where winter temperature is about 1 to 2° C. This approach, independent of genus richness of each component, suggests a Palaearctic-Oriental boundary close to the northern limit of the Mid-tropical Climatic Zone. By this boundary, some 10 % of East Asian genera are confined to the Palaearctic, 38 % to the Oriental, and 52 % common to both. Temperature tolerance is probably of prime importance in limiting the Oriental fauna, and altitude has a strong influence. Further work with altitude-referenced data is needed in the central China region.
  • Key words: Formicidae, ant genera, China, Oriental, Palaearctic, biogeography, latitude, altitude, temperature.
  • Publisher: The Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics
  • ISSN: Print: 1994-4136 - Online: 1997-3500

Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8: 239-249 supplement; printable

Download PDF file (179KB)

  • Open Access: CC BY 4.0
  • Journal: Myrmecological News
  • Publisher: The Austrian Society of Entomofaunistics
  • ISSN: Print: 1994-4136 - Online: 1997-3500