Genetic variation for adaptive traits is associated with polymorphic inversions in Littorina saxatilis.

ABSTRACT: Chromosomal inversions have long been recognized for their role in local adaptation. By suppressing recombination in heterozygous individuals, they can maintain coadapted gene complexes and protect them from homogenizing effects of gene flow. However, to fully understand their importance for local adaptation we need to know their influence on phenotypes under divergent selection. For this, the marine snail Littorina saxatilis provides an ideal study system. Divergent ecotypes adapted to wave action and crab predation occur in close proximity on intertidal shores with gene flow between them. Here, we used F2 individuals obtained from crosses between the ecotypes to test for associations between genomic regions and traits distinguishing the Crab-/Wave-adapted ecotypes including size,

SUBMITTER: Koch EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8190449 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature