A preliminary microsatellite genetic map of the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Molecular genetic maps can provide information for the identification and localization of major genes associated with quantitative traits. However, there are currently no published genetic linkage maps for any ratites. Herein, a preliminary genetic map of ostrich was developed using a two-generation ostrich reference family by linkage analysis of 104 polymorphic microsatellite markers, including 40 novel markers reported in this study. A total of 35 microsatellite markers were placed into 13 linkage groups. Five linkage groups are composed of three or more loci, whereas the remaining eight groups each contained two markers. The sex-averaged map spans 365.4 cM. The marker interval of each linkage group ranges from 5.3 to 25.4 cM, and the average interval distance is 16.61 cM. The male map covers 342.7 cM, with an average intermarker distance of 15.58 cM, whereas the female map is 456.7 cM, with the average intermarker spacing of 20.76 cM. In order to screen the orthologous loci between ostrich and chicken, all of the flanking sequences of the 104 polymorphic loci, nine monomorphic loci and a further 12 reported microsatellite loci for ostrich were screened against the chicken genomic sequence using the BLAST algorithm (Altschul et al., 1990), and corresponding orthologs were found for 13 sequences. The microsatellite loci and genetic map developed in this study will be useful for QTL mapping, population genetics and phylogenetic studies in the ratite. In addition, the 13 orthologous loci identified in this study will be advantageous to the construction of a comparative genetic map between chicken and ostrich.     

Integration of chicken cytogenetic and genetic maps: 18 new polymorphic markers isolated from BAC and PAC clones

As an approach to integrate the chicken genetic and cytogenetic maps, bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) clones were localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on chromosomes and by genetic mapping on the East Lansing and Compton reference families. Some of the clones used in this study were previously selected for the presence of potentially polymorphic (CA)n repeats and a microsatellite marker was developed when possible for genetic mapping. For other clones, a single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) was developed and used for this purpose. Between the two approaches, 18 markers linking the cytogenetic and genetic maps, seven on macrochromosomes and 11 on microchromosomes, were generated. Our results enabled the assignment and orientation of a linkage group to chromosome 3, together with the assignment of linkage groups to eight different microchromosomes, a fraction of the genome lacking mapping data and for which the degree of coverage by the genetic map was not well estimated previously.     

Cotton genome mapping with new microsatellites from Acala ‘Maxxa’ BAC-ends

Fine mapping and positional cloning will eventually improve with the anchoring of additional markers derived from genomic clones such as BACs. From 2,603 new BAC-end genomic sequences from Gossypium hirsutum Acala ‘Maxxa’, 1,316 PCR primer pairs (designated as MUSB) were designed to flank microsatellite or simple sequence repeat motif sequences. Most (1164 or 88%) MUSB primer pairs successfully amplified DNA from three species of cotton with an average of three amplicons per marker and 365 markers (21%) were polymorphic between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. An interspecific RIL population developed from the above two entries was used to map 433 marker loci and 46 linkage groups with a genetic distance of 2,126.3 cM covering approximately 45% of the cotton genome and an average distance between two loci of 4.9 cM. Based on genome-specific chromosomes identified in G. hirsutum tetraploid (A and D), 56.9% of the coverage was located on the A subgenome while 39.7% was assigned to the D subgenome in the genetic map, suggesting that the A subgenome may be more polymorphic and recombinationally active than originally thought. The linkage groups were assigned to 23 of the 26 chromosomes. This is the first genetic map in which the linkage groups A01 and A02/D03 have been assigned to specific chromosomes. In addition the MUSB-derived markers from BAC-end sequences markers allows fine genetic and QTL mapping of important traits and for the first time provides reconciliation of the genetic and physical maps. Limited QTL analyses suggested that loci on chromosomes 2, 3, 12, 15 and 18 may affect variation in fiber quality traits. The original BAC clones containing the newly mapped MUSB that tag the QTLs provide critical DNA regions for the discovery of gene sequences involved in biological processes such as fiber development and pest resistance in cotton. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

A first-generation microsatellite-based integrated genetic and cytogenetic map for the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and localization of angora and albino

Although the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is used both in agronomics and in research, genomic resources for this species are still limited and no microsatellite-based genetic map has been reported. Our aim was to construct a rabbit genetic map with cytogenetically mapped microsatellites so as to build an integrated genetic and cytogenetic map. A reference population of 187 rabbits comprising eight three-generation families with 10-25 offspring per family was produced. One hundred and ninety-four of 305 previously identified microsatellites were included in this study. Of these, 158 were polymorphic with two to seven alleles. The map reported here comprises 111 markers, including 104 INRA microsatellites, five microsatellites from another source and two phenotypic markers (angora and albino). Ninety markers were integrated into 20 linkage groups. The remaining 21 microsatellites mapped to separate linkage groups, 19 with a precise cytogenetic position and two with only a chromosomal assignment. The genetic map spans 2766.6 cM and covers 20 rabbit chromosomes, excluding chromosomes 20, 21 and X. The density of this map is limited, but we used it to verify the location of angora and albino on chromosomes 15q and 1q, respectively, in agreement with previously published data. This first generation genetic/cytogenetic map will help gene identification and quantitative trait loci mapping projects in rabbit.     

A microsatellite-based genetic linkage map for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Microsatellite loci were identified in channel catfish gene sequences or random clones from a small insert genomic DNA library. Outbred populations of channel catfish contained an average of eight alleles per locus and an average heterozygosity of 0.70. A genetic linkage map of the channel catfish genome (N = 29) was constructed from two reference families. A total of 293 microsatellite loci were polymorphic in one or both families, with an average of 171 informative meioses per locus. Nineteen type I loci, 243 type II loci, and one EST were placed in 32 multipoint linkage groups covering 1958 cM. Nine more type II loci were contained in three two-point linkage groups covering 24.5 cM. Twenty-two type II loci remained unlinked. Multipoint linkage groups ranged in size from 11.9 to 110.5 cM with an average intermarker distance of 8.7 cM. Seven microsatellite loci were closely linked with the sex-determining locus. The microsatellite loci and genetic linkage map will increase the efficiency of selective breeding programs for channel catfish.     

Development of 50 gene-associated microsatellite markers using BAC clones and the construction of a linkage map of swine chromosome 4

The development of informative polymorphic markers is essential for QTL mapping. We developed 50 microsatellite markers from BAC clones containing genes that were predicted to map swine chromosome 4 (SSC4) according to comparative analysis between human and swine chromosomes, and constructed a linkage map that consisted of 37 markers including 24 markers closely linked to genes in BAC clones. Microsatellite markers were developed by direct-sequencing of BAC clones and our results demonstrated that this method was effective for developing microsatellite markers in specific regions on chromosomes. Effective development of microsatellite markers closely linked to genes can further accelerate the comparative studies of chromosomes between different species.     

Genetic and physical mapping of new EST-derived SSRs on the A and B genome chromosomes of wheat

The availability of genetic maps and phenotypic data of segregating populations allows to localize and map agronomically important genes, and to identify closely associated molecular markers to be used in marker-assisted selection and positional cloning. The objective of the present work was to develop a durum wheat intervarietal genetic and physical map based on genomic microsatellite or genomic simple sequence repeats (gSSR) markers and expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived microsatellite (EST-SSR) markers. A set of 122 new EST-SSR loci amplified by 100 primer pairs was genetically mapped on the wheat A and B genome chromosomes. The whole map also comprises 149 gSSR markers amplified by 120 primer pairs used as anchor chromosome loci, two morphological markers (Black colour, Bla1, and spike glaucousness, Ws) and two seed storage protein loci (Gli-A2 and Gli-B2). The majority of SSR markers tested (182) was chromosome-specific. Out of 275 loci 241 loci assembled in 25 linkage groups assigned to the chromosomes of the A and B genome and 34 remained unlinked. A higher percentage of markers (54.4%), localized on the B genome chromosomes, in comparison to 45.6% distributed on the A genome. The whole map covered 1,605 cM. The B genome accounted for 852.2 cM of genetic distance; the A genome basic map spanned 753.1 cM with a minimum length of 46.6 cM for chromosome 5A and a maximum of 156.2 cM for chromosome 3A and an average value of 114.5 cM. The primer sets that amplified two or more loci mapped to homoeologous as well as to non-homoeologous sites. Out of 241 genetically mapped loci 213 (88.4%) were physically mapped by using the nulli-tetrasomic, ditelosomic and a stock of 58 deletion lines dividing the A and B genome chromosomes in 94 bins. No discrepancies concerning marker order were observed but the cytogenetic maps revealed in some cases small genetic distance covered large physical regions. Putative function for mapped SSRs were assigned by searching against GenBank nonredundant database using TBLASTX algorithms.     

Construction of a sequence-tagged high-density genetic map of papaya for comparative structural and evolutionary genomics in brassicales

A high-density genetic map of papaya (Carica papaya L.) was constructed using microsatellite markers derived from BAC end sequences and whole-genome shot gun sequences. Fifty-four F(2) plants derived from varieties AU9 and SunUp were used for linkage mapping. A total of 707 markers, including 706 microsatellite loci and the morphological marker fruit flesh color, were mapped into nine major and three minor linkage groups. The resulting map spanned 1069.9 cM with an average distance of 1.5 cM between adjacent markers. This sequence-based microsatellite map resolved the very large linkage group 2 (LG 2) of the previous high-density map using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. The nine major LGs of our map represent papaya's haploid nine chromosomes with LG 1 of the sex chromosome being the largest. This map validates the suppression of recombination at the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) mapped on LG 1 and at potential centromeric regions of other LGs. Segregation distortion was detected in a large region on LG 1 surrounding the MSY region due to the abortion of the YY genotype and in a region of LG6 due to an unknown cause. This high-density sequence-tagged genetic map is being used to integrate genetic and physical maps and to assign genome sequence scaffolds to papaya chromosomes. It provides a framework for comparative structural and evolutional genomic research in the order Brassicales.     

Integration of chicken genomic resources to enable whole-genome sequencing

Different genomic resources in chicken were integrated through the Wageningen chicken BAC library. First, a BAC anchor map was created by screening this library with two sets of markers: microsatellite markers from the consensus linkage map and markers created from BAC end sequencing in chromosome walking experiments. Second, HINdIII digestion fingerprints were created for all BACs of the Wageningen chicken BAC library. Third, cytogenetic positions of BACs were assigned by FISH. These integrated resources will facilitate further chromosome-walking experiments and whole-genome sequencing.     

Dinucleotide Repeat Loci Contribute Highly Informative Genetic Markers to the Human Chromosome 2 Linkage Map

Microsatellite repeat loci can provide informative markers for genetic linkage. Currently, the human chromosome 2 genetic linkage map has very few highly polymorphic markers. Being such a large chromosome, it will require a large number of informative markers for the dense coverage desired to allow disease genes to be mapped quickly and accurately. Dinucleotide repeat loci from two anonymous chromosome 2 genomic DNA clones were sequenced so that oligonucleotide primers could be designed for amplifying each locus using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five sets of PCR primers were also generated from nucleotide sequences in the GenBank Database of chromosome 2 genes containing dinucleotide repeats. In addition, one PCR primer pair was made that amplifies a restriction fragment length polymorphism on the TNP1 gene (Hoth and Engel, 1991). These markers were placed on the CEPH genetic linkage map by screening the CEPH reference DNA panel with each primer set, combining these data with those of other markers previously placed on the map, and analyzing the combined data set using CRI-MAP and LINKAGE. The microsatellite loci are highly informative markers and the TNP1 locus, as expected, is only moderately informative. A map was constructed with 38 ordered loci (odds 1000:1) spanning 296 cM (male) and 476 cM (female) of chromosome 2 compared with 306 cM (male) and 529 cM (female) for a previous map of 20 markers.     

Chromosomal localization of six bovine microsatellite markers

Six lambda genomic clones containing polymorphic microsatellite (MS) markers were assigned to bovine chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 7, 13 and 24 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Linkage data for four MS markers were presented earlier and linkage data for the remaining two on chromosome 7 and 24 are presented here. All assignments either orient or confirm the orientation of linkage groups relative to the centromere. A comparison of physical assignments and linkage intervals was possible on chromosome 5 (three loci, 38 cM) and 13 (two loci, 6 cM).     

Fourteen chromosomal localizations and an update of the cytogenetic map of the rabbit

In order to improve the informativeness of the cytogenetic map of the rabbit genome, fourteen markers were regionally mapped to individual chromosomes. The localizations comprise eleven gene loci (PRLR, GHR, HK1, ACE, TF, 18S+28S rDNA, CYP2C4, PMP2, TCRB, ALOX15 and MT1) and three microsatellite loci (Sat13, Sol33 and D1Utr6). Five of the genes contain known microsatellite sequences. To achieve these localizations, homologous and heterologous small insert clones, and clones from a rabbit Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) library were used as probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments. Results indicate that especially BAC clones are a valuable tool for cytogenetic mapping. Some of the genes were selected for mapping on the basis of human- rabbit comparative painting data, to achieve localizations on gene-poor rabbit chromosomes. Our data are, in general, in agreement with the human-rabbit comparative painting data. By mapping microsatellite sequences that have also been used in linkage studies, links are provided between the genetic and physical maps of the rabbit genome. Linkage groups I, VI and XI could be assigned to chromosomes 1, 5 and 3 respectively. Moreover, in this paper we give an overview of the current status of the rabbit cytogenetic map. This map now comprises 62 physically mapped genes, which are scattered over all autosomes, except chromosome 2, and the X chromosome.     

An Integrated Genetic and Cytogenetic Map for Zhikong Scallop,Chlamys farreri,Based on Microsatellite Markers

The reliability of genome analysis and proficiency of genetic manipulation requires knowledge of the correspondence between the genetic and cytogenetic maps. In the present study, we integrated cytogenetic and microsatellite-based linkage maps for Zhikong scallop, Chlamys farreri. Thirty-eight marker-anchored BAC clones standing for the 19 linkage groups were used to be FISH probes. Of 38 BAC clones, 30 were successfully located on single chromosome by FISH and used to integrate the genetic and cytogenetic map. Among the 19 linkage groups, 12 linkage groups were physically anchored by 2 markers, 6 linkage groups were anchored by 1 marker, and one linkage group was not anchored any makers by FISH. In addition, using two-color FISH, six linkage groups were distinguished by different chromosomal location; linkage groups LG6 and LG16 were placed on chromosome 10, LG8 and LG18 on chromosome 14. As a result, 18 of 19 linkage groups were localized to 17 pairs of chromosomes of C. farreri. We first integrated genetic and cytogenetic map for C. farreri. These 30 chromosome specific BAC clones in the cytogenetic map could be used to identify chromosomes of C. farreri. The integrated map will greatly facilitate molecular genetic studies that will be helpful for breeding applications in C. farreri and the upcoming genome projects of this species.     

Index, Comprehensive Microsatellite, and Unified Linkage Maps of Human Chromosome 14 with Cytogenetic Tie Points and a Telomere Microsatellite Marker

Three sets of linkage maps (index, comprehensive microsatellite, and unified) have been constructed for human chromosome 14 based on genotypes from the CEPH reference pedigrees. The index maps consist of 18 microsatellite markers, with heterozygosities of at least 68% and intermarker spacing no greater than 11 cM. The sex-average comprehensive microsatellite map is 125 cM in length and includes 115 markers with 54 loci uniquely placed with odds for marker order of at least 1000:1. The sex-average index map length is 121 cM, and the female- and male-specific maps are 143 and 101 cM, respectively. A unified map was also constructed from 147 loci (162 marker systems), which includes 32 RFLP markers in addition to the 115 microsatellites. The sex-average length of the unified map is 128 cM with 69 loci uniquely placed. Our maps are anchored by a microsatellite telomere marker sCAW1 (D14S826), developed from a telomere YAC clone TYAC196, which extends the linkage map to the physical terminus of the long arm of chromosome 14. Furthermore, we have also physically mapped seven of the loci by fluorescencein situhybridization of cosmid clones orAlu-PCR products amplified from YACs containing the marker sequences. Together with previously established cytogenetic map designations for other loci, our maps display links between genetic markers for 10 of 13 cytogenetic bands of chromosome 14 at the 550 genome band resolution.     

Genetic mapping of the evergrowing gene in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch

In temperate locations, terminal apices on evergrowing (also called evergreen) peach trees keep growing in winter until killed by low temperatures, while the lateral buds go into dormancy. A recessive allele of a single gene (evergrowing or evg) controls this trait in peach. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique and bulked segregant analysis were applied to construct a local genetic linkage map for the evg gene from the cross Empress op op dwarf x Evergrowing (P.I. 442380). This map, comprising nine AFLP markers and the evg locus, covers a total genetic distance of 79.3 cM. Four dominant AFLP markers (EAT/MCAC, ETT/MCCA2, EAT/MCTA, and ETT/MACC) were linked to the evg locus at distances of 1, 5.3, 6.7, and 11.7 cM, respectively. EAT/MCAC and EAT/MCTA were converted into polymorphic sequence-tagged sites. Microsatellite markers in the evg region were developed from peach bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones that hybridized to the AFLP marker fragments. Using three microsatellite anchor markers (pchgms12, pchgms17, and pchgms19), the local genetic linkage map was integrated into one minor linkage group of a previously constructed peach rootstock genetic linkage map. Three AFLP markers from the rootstock genetic linkage map were found linked to the evg locus.     

A first‐generation microsatellite linkage map of the ruff

A linkage map of the ruff (Philomachus pugnax) genome was constructed based on segregation analysis of 58 microsatellite loci from 381 captive‐bred individuals spanning fourteen breeding years and comprising 64 families. Twenty‐eight of the markers were resolved into seven linkage groups and five single marker loci, homologous to known chicken (Gallus gallus) and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) chromosomes. Linkage groups range from 10.1 to 488.7 cM in length and covered a total map distance of 641.6 cM, corresponding to an estimated 30–35% coverage of the ruff genome, with a mean spacing of 22.9 cM between loci. Through comparative mapping, we are able to assign linkage groups Ppu1, Ppu2, Ppu6, Ppu7, Ppu10, Ppu13, and PpuZ to chromosomes and identify several intrachromosomal rearrangements between the homologs of chicken, zebra finch, and ruff microsatellite loci. This is the first linkage map created in the ruff and is a major step toward providing genomic resources for this enigmatic species. It will provide an essential framework for mapping of phenotypically and behaviorally important loci in the ruff.     

A re-assigned American mink (Neovison vison) map optimal for genome-wide studies

Our previously published second generation genetic map for the American mink (Neovison vison) has been used and redesigned in its best for genome-wide studies with maximum of efficiency. A number of 114 selected markers, including 33 newly developed microsatellite markers from the CHORI-231 mink Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) library, have been genotyped in a two generation population composed of 1200 individuals. The outcome reassigns the position of some markers on the chromosomes and it produces a more reliable map with a convenient distance between markers. A total of 104 markers mapped to 14 linkage groups corresponding to the mink autosomes. Six markers are unlinked and four markers are allocated to the X chromosome by homology but no linkage was detected. The sex-average linkage map spans 1192 centiMorgans (cM) with an average intermarker distance of 11.4 cM and 1648 cM when the ends of the linkage groups and the autosomal unlinked markers are added. Sex-specific genetic linkage maps were also generated. The male sex-specific map had a total length of 1014.6 cM between the linked markers and an average inter-marker interval of 9.7 cM. The female map has a corresponding length of 1378.6 cM and an average inter-marker interval of 13.3 cM. The study is complemented with additional anchorage for most of the chromosomes of the map by BAC in situ hybridization with clones containing microsatellites strategically selected from the various parts of the genome. This map provides an improved tool for genetic mapping and comparative genomics in mink, also useful for the future assembly of the mink genome sequence when this will be taken forward.     

A molecular cytogenetic map of sorghum chromosome 1. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis with mapped bacterial artificial chromosomes

We used structural genomic resources for Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench to target and develop multiple molecular cytogenetic probes that would provide extensive coverage for a specific chromosome of sorghum. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones containing molecular markers mapped across sorghum linkage group A were labeled as probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Signals from single-, dual-, and multiprobe BAC-FISH to spreads of mitotic chromosomes and pachytene bivalents were associated with the largest sorghum chromosome, which bears the nucleolus organizing region (NOR). The order of individual BAC-FISH loci along the chromosome was fully concordant to that of marker loci along the linkage map. In addition, the order of several tightly linked molecular markers was clarified by FISH analysis. The FISH results indicate that markers from the linkage map positions 0.0-81.8 cM reside in the short arm of chromosome 1 whereas markers from 81.8-242.9 cM are located in the long arm of chromosome 1. The centromere and NOR were located in a large heterochromatic region that spans approximately 60% of chromosome 1. In contrast, this region represents only 0.7% of the total genetic map distance of this chromosome. Variation in recombination frequency among euchromatic chromosomal regions also was apparent. The integrated data underscore the value of cytological data, because minor errors and uncertainties in linkage maps can involve huge physical regions. The successful development of multiprobe FISH cocktails suggests that it is feasible to develop chromosome-specific "paints" from genomic resources rather than flow sorting or microdissection and that when applied to pachytene chromatin, such cocktails provide an especially powerful framework for mapping. Such a molecular cytogenetic infrastructure would be inherently cross-linked with other genomic tools and thereby establish a cytogenomics system with extensive utility in development and application of genomic resources, cloning, transgene localization, development of plant "chromonomics," germplasm introgression, and marker-assisted breeding. In combination with previously reported work, the results indicate that a sorghum cytogenomics system would be partially applicable to other gramineous genera.     

An initial genetic linkage map of the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) genome using human microsatellite loci

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are the most widely used nonhuman primate species in biomedical research. To create new opportunities for genetic and genomic studies using rhesus monkeys, we constructed a genetic linkage map of the rhesus genome. This map consists of 241 microsatellite loci, all previously mapped in the human genome. These polymorphisms were genotyped in five pedigrees of rhesus monkeys totaling 865 animals. The resulting linkage map covers 2048 cM including all 20 rhesus autosomes, with average spacing between markers of 9.3 cM. Average heterozygosity among those markers is 0.73. This linkage map provides new comparative information concerning locus order and interlocus distances in humans and rhesus monkeys. The map will facilitate whole-genome linkage screens to locate quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence individual variation in phenotypic traits related to basic primate anatomy, physiology, and behavior, as well as QTLs relevant to risk factors for human disease.     

In vivo - in vitro toxicogenomic comparison of TCDD-elicited gene expression in Hepa1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells and C57BL/6 hepatic tissue

Background

By comparing the quail genome with that of chicken, chromosome rearrangements that have occurred in these two galliform species over 35 million years of evolution can be detected. From a more practical point of view, the definition of conserved syntenies helps to predict the position of genes in quail, based on information taken from the chicken sequence, thus enhancing the utility of this species in biological studies through a better knowledge of its genome structure. A microsatellite and an Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) genetic map were previously published for quail, as well as comparative cytogenetic data with chicken for macrochromosomes. Quail genomics will benefit from the extension and the integration of these maps.

Results

The integrated linkage map presented here is based on segregation analysis of both anonymous markers and functional gene loci in 1,050 quail from three independent F2 populations. Ninety-two loci are resolved into 14 autosomal linkage groups and a Z chromosome-specific linkage group, aligned with the quail AFLP map. The size of linkage groups ranges from 7.8 cM to 274.8 cM. The total map distance covers 904.3 cM with an average spacing of 9.7 cM between loci. The coverage is not complete, as macrochromosome CJA08, the gonosome CJAW and 23 microchromosomes have no marker assigned yet. Significant sequence identities of quail markers with chicken enabled the alignment of the quail linkage groups on the chicken genome sequence assembly. This, together with interspecific Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), revealed very high similarities in marker order between the two species for the eight macrochromosomes and the 14 microchromosomes studied.

Conclusion

Integrating the two microsatellite and the AFLP quail genetic maps greatly enhances the quality of the resulting information and will thus facilitate the identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). The alignment with the chicken chromosomes confirms the high conservation of gene order that was expected between the two species for macrochromosomes. By extending the comparative study to the microchromosomes, we suggest that a wealth of information can be mined in chicken, to be used for genome analyses in quail.