Abstract
Rhopalopsole sinensis Yang and Yang, 1993 is one of the most widely distributed stoneflies in southern China. In this study, the genetic structure of nine different geographical populations of R. sinensis was studied based on three datasets of the 18S, COI and ITS2 genes. The phylogenetic trees showed that there had been a great degree of genetic differentiation among its nine geographical populations, but the hypothesis of random mating did not support the formation of reproductive isolation among different geographical populations, indicating that R. sinensis did not form cryptic species. The establishment of the 18S gene and ITS2 gene supports the population of (Guangdong + Shaanxi + Sichuan + Guizhou + Fujian) as independent branches, while the population of (Anhui + Zhejiang + Hunan) is another branch. The establishment of COI gene tree supports (Shaanxi + Sichuan + Guizhou + Fujian) as one branch, while the other independent branch is composed of (Anhui + Zhejiang + Guangxi + Hunan + Guangdong) groups. The possible reasons for this situation based on geography and biology are discussed. Our results provide the first reference for the genetic differentiation in Chinese Rhopalopsole stoneflies.