Long-Term Maintenance of Complex Chromosomal Inversion Polymorphism in <i>Drosophila mediopunctata</i>.

ABSTRACT: Natural selection is known to favor specific gene combinations, thereby shaping the evolution of recombination rates, often through epistatic interactions. However, the dynamics of these interacting factors within natural populations remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the long-term maintenance of a complex polymorphism involving linked, nonoverlapping chromosomal inversions in a natural population of Drosophila mediopunctata. Remarkably, even after 30 years-equivalent to roughly 340 generations-two major features have remained unexpectedly stable: the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between inversions, which deviates significantly from the theoretical prediction of decay, and a consistent seasonal cycle pattern of heterozygous excess and homozygous deficiencies. We

SUBMITTER: Uno F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11513201 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature