Ecological Speciation in Marine Gastropods

Ecological speciation in marine gastropods arises from adaptive divergence driven by distinct environmental pressures across microhabitats, particularly in intertidal zones. Repeated emergence of phenotypically and genetically distinct ecotypes within single species, such as periwinkles and other snails, exemplifies how selection can generate reproductive isolation despite ongoing gene flow. Key mechanisms include divergent selection on morphology and physiology to resist wave action or predation, the accumulation of genetic incompatibilities, and the establishment of genomic barriers such as chromosomal inversions. Increasingly, research reveals that these barriers may encompass multidimensional environmental axes—ranging from substrate type to tidal exposure—and can be reinforced by assortative mating and ecological niche specialisation. Recent advances in high-resolution genomics and ecological experimentation have broadened our understanding of how symbiotic gut microbiomes, life history traits, and behavioural adaptations contribute to niche partitioning. This body of work offers a robust framework for predicting species responses to changing coastal environments and for informing conservation strategies in marine ecosystems.

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Ecological Speciation in Marine Gastropods publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in ecological speciation in marine gastropods across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Ecological speciation: The process by which divergent natural selection arising from differences in ecological environments leads to the formation of reproductive barriers and distinct species.

Ecotype: A genetically distinct population within a species, adapted to specific environmental conditions or habitats.

Chromosomal inversion: A structural rearrangement in which a segment of a chromosome is reversed end to end, often contributing to reduced recombination between diverging populations.

Gene flow: The movement of alleles or genes between populations through migration or dispersal, which can counteract local adaptation.

Bacteriome: The community of bacterial species residing within a host organism, influencing its digestion, physiology, and ecological interactions.

References

1. Diverse pathways to speciation revealed by marine snails. Trends in Genetics (2024).
2. Using replicate hybrid zones to understand the genomic basis of adaptive divergence. Molecular Ecology (2021).
3. Chromosomal inversion polymorphisms are widespread across the species ranges of rough periwinkles (Littorina saxatilis and L. arcana). Molecular Ecology (2023).
4. Gut Bacteriomes and Ecological Niche Divergence: An Example of Two Cryptic Gastropod Species. Biology (2023).