The role of inversions in diversification of Littorina intertidal gastropods

Rui Faria (CIBIO/InBIO, Research Center on Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Portugal)

The enormous variation in shape, size and colour of Littorina spp. periwinkles, particularly Littorina saxatilis, offer an enormous challenge to classify biological diversity but also a unique opportunity to understand adaptation and speciation. In this talk I will revisit the results of our recent research trying to address the question: why do these intertidal species evolve (and maintain) so many life-forms? Using population genomics data across an environmental transect comprising hybrid zones between L. saxatilis ecotypes as well as within flat periwinkles (L. fabalis and L. obtusata) populations, I will discuss the importance of chromosomal inversions in diversification within this system.

Thursday, May 20, 2021, 12pm (noon) -1pm (GMT+1)

Online, via Zoom. You're not a member of cE3c? You're most welcome to attend this webinar - please register HERE.