In this paper, our

aim was to determine, by means of quantitative analysis, the distribution patterns of the land mammals in China

and, adjacent regions using physiographical regions as operative geographical units (OGUs). Based on the

pre-sence or absence of 11 orders, 42 families, 197 genera, and 577 species of land mammals in their zoogeo-

graphical regions, which were used as OGUs, we studied the biotic boundary between the Oriental Region

(OR) and the Palaearctic Region (PR), as well as subregion boundaries. The boundary , s statistical signifi-

cance was tested by G-test as described by McCoy et al. A significantly strong biotic boundary was found to

separate the PR from the OR, and there is a weak biotic boundary in the PR, which divides it into 2 subregions.

We concluded that the biotic boundary which separates the PR and OR is a strong boundary. We suggest that

the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau should be regarded as a subregion of the PR, which can embody its characteristics

of high elevations and a frigid climatic, which is called the Qing-Zang subregion of the PR (QZSP).