Abstract: In order to clarify the ant diversity regularity in Dongchuan dry-hot-valley, Kunming City, and provide theoretical support for local vegetation restoration, the ant community was surveyed through the plot-sampling method. The results showed that 53 species belonging to 24 genera and 5 subfamilies of Formicidae were recognized in the 8 sample plots, of which Tetramorium wroughtonii （Forel） was the dominant species. Meanwhile, 7 common species （occupying 13.21% of the total species）, 11 relatively common species （occupying 20.75%）, 21 relatively rare species （occupying 39.62%） and 13 rare species （occupying 24.53%） were observed. Main indexe of ant communities was shown that species number was from 5 to 22 （average 12.8）, individual density was from 4.8 to 147.2 head/m² （average 62.4 head/m²）, diversity index was from 1.049 2 to 2.048 0 （average 1.463 3）, evenness index was from 0.505 8 to 0.708 6 （average 0.595 4）, and dominant index was from 0.209 1 to 0.486 6 （average 0.347 2）. Similarity coefficients between ant communities from the 8 sample plots were 0.000 0~0.300 0, indicating that the similarity between the two different plots in the survey area was at the level of extremely dissimilar to moderately dissimilar. The ant species richness of Dongchuan dry-hot-valley was generally lower, and the combined effect of air temperature and humidity had important influence on vegetation, then influencing the main indexes of the ant community.

Key words: Formicidae, community, biodiversity, dry-hot-valley, vegetation restoration