{
  "abstract": "Understanding the distribution, frequency, and long-term persistence of chromosomal inversions in natural populations is key to understanding population evolution and adaptive processes. Inversions often span multiple genes, are subject to strong selective pressures and can affect complex traits. Here, we used an unbiased method to identify inversions in guppies from three different Trinidadian rivers with paired high- and low-predation populations which differ in a wide range of morphological, behavioural and life-history traits. We identified 22 inversions, ranging in age from 1 to 6 million years, which are widespread across the genome and predate the colonisation of each river. We were able to verify the breakpoints for all but one of these inversions using linked reads. We find three inversions that are significantly associated with local adaptation syndromes in high- versus low-predation populations, however, none are reciprocally fixed throughout all three replicate rivers. Additionally, we observe seven additional inversions maintained in all three rivers without evidence of local adaptation. Simulations reveal that the level of inversion polymorphism that we observe is far greater than expected under a neutral model. We observed a significant overlap between polymorphic inversions and loci previously implicated in male ornament pattern variation in guppies, suggesting that negative frequency-dependent selection due to female preference for male pattern novelty explains the maintenance of inversion polymorphisms. Overall, our results show the role of sexual selection in the long-term maintenance of inversion polymorphisms, and an interplay between sexual and natural selection in frequency dynamics.\n\nGenomic inversions spanning many genes can persist for millions of years. This study of Trinidadian guppy populations reveals how both ecological conditions and mate choice help maintain this hidden layer of genomic diversity, linking sexual selection with long-term genome evolution.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada"
  ],
  "article_type": "Short Reports",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuying Lin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Wouter van der Bijl"
    },
    {
      "name": "Judith E. Mank"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/adv0d3s2gsxeq.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pbio.3004024",
  "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3004024",
  "id": "adv0d3s2gsxeq",
  "issns": [
    "1545-7885"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3004024",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1110|Chromosomal and Genetic Variations"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Chromosome biology/Chromosomal aberrations/Chromosomal inversions"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Evolutionary biology/Evolutionary systematics/Phylogenetics"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Genetic loci/Alleles"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Heredity/Genetic mapping/Variant genotypes"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Heredity/Heterozygosity"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Heredity/Homozygosity"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Single nucleotide polymorphisms"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Taxonomy/Evolutionary systematics/Phylogenetics"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Computer and information sciences/Data management/Taxonomy/Evolutionary systematics/Phylogenetics"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Earth sciences/Marine and aquatic sciences/Aquatic environments/Freshwater environments/Rivers"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Earth sciences/Marine and aquatic sciences/Bodies of water/Rivers"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Ecology and environmental sciences/Aquatic environments/Freshwater environments/Rivers"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212146046",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3004024&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-23",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/adv0d3s2gsxeq.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:43Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pbio.3004024",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3004024"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:genetics",
      "subfield": "genetics-genomics"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Ancient inversion polymorphisms associate with sexually selected traits across natural guppy populations",
  "title_text": "Ancient inversion polymorphisms associate with sexually selected traits across natural guppy populations",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:43Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/adv0d3s2gsxeq",
  "venue": "PLOS Biology",
  "versions": []
}