Data from: Strong population genetic structure of an invasive species, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), in southern China

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), was
initially reported in China in the 1990s and is now considered one of the
most successful invasive pests of palm plants in the country. A total of
14 microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit Ι
(cox I) gene fragment were used to investigate the genetic characteristics
and structure of R. ferrugineus in southern China. High levels of genetic
differentiation among populations and significant correlations between
genetic and geographical distances indicated an important role of
geographical distance in the distribution of the RPW in southern China.
High gene flow between Fujian and Taiwan province populations illustrated
the increased effects of frequent anthropogenic activities on gene flow
between them. Genetic similarity (i.e., haplotype similarity) indicated
that RPW individuals from Taiwan and Fujian invaded from a different
source than those from Hainan. To some extent, the genetic structure of
the RPW in southern China correlated well with the geographic origins of
this pest. We propose that geographical distance, anthropogenic activities
and the biological attributes of this pest are responsible for the
distribution pattern of the RPW in southern China. The phylogenetic
analysis suggests that the most likely native sources of the RPW in
southern China are India, the Philippines, and Vietnam.