Data from: Population structure and genetic diversity of native and invasive populations of Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae)

Aims: We investigate native and introduced populations of Solanum
rostratum, an annual, self-compatible plant that has been introduced
around the globe. This study is the first to compare the genetic diversity
of Solanum rostratum between native and introduced populations. We aim to
(1) determine the level of genetic diversity across the studied regions;
(2) explore the likely origins of invasive populations in China; and (3)
investigate whether there is the evidence of multiple introductions into
China. Methods: We genotyped 329 individuals at 10 microsatellite loci to
determine the levels of genetic diversity and to investigate population
structure of native and introduced populations of S. rostratum. We studied
five populations in each of three regions across two continents: Mexico,
the U.S.A. and China. Important Findings: We found the highest genetic
diversity among Mexican populations of S. rostratum. Genetic diversity was
significantly lower in Chinese and U.S.A. populations, but we found no
regional difference in inbreeding coefficients (FIS) or population
differentiation (FST). Population structure analyses indicate that Chinese
and U.S.A. populations are more closely related to each other than to
sampled Mexican populations, revealing that introduced populations in
China share an origin with the sampled U.S.A. populations. The
distinctiveness between some introduced populations indicates multiple
introductions of S. rostratum into China.