The role of inversions in diversification of Littorina intertidal gastropods

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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.