关键词: 蚁科, 分类学, 生物多样性, DNA条形码, 土壤动物

Abstract

Backgrounds & Aims: Ants, as ecologically dominant social insects among soil fauna, are not only key regulators of ecosystem structure and function but also crucial bioindicators for biodiversity monitoring and conservation; they thus occupy an important position in taxonomic research. However, significant knowledge gaps persist in ant taxonomy and species diversity understanding both globally and in China. Traditional morphological taxonomic methods are increasingly inadequate for meeting the demands of rapid assessment and precise identification, necessitating a systemic renewal of the discipline, from theoretical frameworks and technical approaches to application pathways. To this end, this paper systematically reviews the 300-year development history of global ant taxonomy. 

Results: Our analysis indicates that ant taxonomy has undergone a paradigm shift from "morphological description" to "integrative systematics." This shift represents a systematic expansion across multiple research dimensions: (1) In data sources, it has transcended the limitations of traditional morphological characters by incorporating genetic information via DNA barcoding and genomic data into taxonomic baselines, effectively revealing a large number of cryptic species previously indistinguishable by conventional methods; (2) In characterization techniques, micro-CT and 3D morphological digitization enable the non-destructive extraction, high-throughput acquisition, and quantitative analysis of morphological traits, offering a new technical avenue for resolving homology misjudgments arising from convergent evolution in traditional morphology; (3) In analytical frameworks, the integration of multi-source data is expected to move ant classification toward a fully integrative systematics framework, broadening the evidence base for taxonomy and improving the resolution of phylogenetic inferences. As of June 2026, 14,452 extant ant species have been recorded globally, with 1,315 validly named species recorded in China, though actual species diversity far exceeds current estimates. In this context, we review the history of ant taxonomy in China, along with representative advances in species revisions within genera, studies of faunal composition, and species diversity surveys in hotspot regions. Concurrently, addressing core bottlenecks constraining disciplinary development—including insufficient DNA barcode database coverage, low digitization rates of specimen collections, structural taxonomic workforce shortages, and underutilization of integrative taxonomic methods, we propose a development path of phased advancement: (1) Build on the taxonomic foundation of Chinese Formicidae accumulated over the past 40 years by expanding morphological taxonomic surveys of ants across various ecosystem types, promoting the construction of a specimen image database following AntWeb standards, and extending faunal surveys nationwide, with the goal of largely completing a baseline inventory of ant diversity in China within the next 50-60 years; (2) Advance the application of morphometrics and micro-CT-based micromorphology, integrate molecular approaches including COI barcoding and genomics to conduct multi-level phylogenetic studies with a focus on cryptic species identification, and explore a multi-dimensional integrative research pathway linking specimens, morphology, molecules, geography, and ecological niches, to complement and rectify deficiencies in morphological taxonomy and faunal studies; (3) Integrate interdisciplinary skills such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, and ecological niche modeling into traditional taxonomic training, with the aim of cultivating a new generation of taxonomists capable of adapting to the modern academic ecosystem and alleviating the structural shortage of taxonomic workforce; and (4) Promote the application of taxonomic outputs in biodiversity monitoring and ecological restoration assessment, explore feasible pathways for incorporating ant monitoring into the national ecological quality monitoring network, and bridge the gap between fundamental taxonomy and conservation practice. 

Conclusion: In conclusion, based on a systematic review of the current status and bottlenecks in ant taxonomy and diversity research both domestically and internationally, this paper proposes a transition pathway towards integrative systematics, aiming to provide new theoretical perspectives and methodological frameworks for ant taxonomy and even soil fauna taxonomy research as a whole, as well as for biodiversity conservation practice.

Key words: Formicidae, Taxonomy, Biodiversity, DNA barcoding, Soil fauna