AFLP-Based Genetic Linkage Maps of the Pacific Oyster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis> Thunberg

Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were used for genome mapping in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas Thunberg. Seventeen selected primer combinations produced 1106 peaks, of which 384 (34.7%) were polymorphic in a backcross family. Among the polymorphic markers, 349 were segregating through either the female or the male parent. Chi-square analysis indicated that 255 (73.1%) of the markers segregated in a Mendelian ratio, and 94 (26.9%) showed significant (P < 0.05) segregation distortion. Separate genetic linkage maps were constructed for the female and male parents. The female framework map consisted of 119 markers in 11 linkage groups, spanning 1030.7 cM, with an average interval of 9.5 cM per marker. The male map contained 96 markers in 10 linkage groups, covering 758.4 cM, with 8.8 cM per marker. The estimated genome length of the Pacific oyster was 1258 cM for the female and 933 cM for the male, and the observed coverage was 82.0% for the female map and 81.3% for the male map. Most distorted markers were deficient for homozygotes and closely linked to each other on the genetic map, suggesting the presence of major recessive deleterious genes in the Pacific oyster.     

Genetic linkage map of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica Gmelin

Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), along with some microsatellite and Type I markers, were used for linkage analysis in Crassostrea virginica Gmelin, the eastern oyster. Seventeen AFLP primer combinations were selected for linkage analysis with two parents and their 81 progeny. The 17 primer combinations produced 396 polymorphic markers, and 282 of them were segregating in the two parents. Chi-square analysis indicated that 259 (91.8%) markers segregated in Mendelian ratio, while the other 23 (8.2%) showed significant (P < 0.05) segregation distortion, primarily for homozygote deficiency and probably due to deleterious recessive genes. Moderately dense linkage maps were constructed using 158 and 133 segregating markers (including a few microsatellite and Type I markers) from male and female parents, respectively. The male framework map consisted of 114 markers in 12 linkage groups, covering 647 cM. The female map had 84 markers in 12 linkage groups with a length of 904 cM. The estimated genome length was 858 cM for the male map and 1296 cM for the female map. The observed genome coverage was 84% for the male and female map when all linked markers were considered. Genetic maps observed in this study are longer than the cytogenetic map, possibly because of low marker density.     

AFLP-based genetic linkage maps of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)

We report the construction of the first genetic linkage map in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. AFLP markers were used in 86 full-sib progeny from a controlled pair mating, applying a double pseudo-test cross strategy. Thirty-six primer pairs generated 2354 peaks, of which 791 (33.6%) were polymorphic in the mapping family. Among those, 341 segregated through the female parent, 296 through the male parent (type 1:1) and 154 through both parents (type 3:1). Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests revealed that 71% and 73% of type 1:1 and 3:1 markers respectively segregated according to Mendelian inheritance. Sex-specific linkage maps were built with mapmaker 3.0 software. The female framework map consisted of 121 markers ordered into 14 linkage groups, spanning 862.8 cM, with an average marker spacing of 8.0 cM. The male framework map consisted of 116 markers ordered into 14 linkage groups, spanning 825.2 cM, with an average marker spacing of 8.09 cM. Genome coverage was estimated to be 76.7% and 75.9% for the female and male framework maps respectively, rising to 85.8% (female) and 86.2% (male) when associated markers were included. Twelve probable homologous linkage group pairs were identified and a consensus map was built for nine of these homologous pairs based on multiple and parallel linkages of 3:1 markers, spanning 816 cM, with joinmap 4.0 software.     

Construction of a genetic linkage map for silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

For silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), a combined microsatellite (or simple sequence repeat) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) sex average linkage map was constructed. A total of 483 markers (245 microsatellites and 238 AFLPs) were assigned to 33 linkage groups. The map spanned 1352.2 cM, covering 86.4% of the estimated genome size of silver carp. The maximum and average spaces between 420 loci were 21.5 cM and 3.2 cM, respectively. The length of linkage groups ranged from 3.6 cM to 98.5 cM with an average of 41.0 cM. The number of markers per group varied from 2 to 44 with an average of 14.6. The AFLP markers significantly improved the integrity of microsatellite-based linkage groups and increased the genome coverage and marker evenness. A genome-wide recombination suppression was observed in male. In an extreme case, six microsatellites co-segregated in male, but spanned a 45.1 cM region in female.     

RAPD-based genetic linkage maps of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa Deg.).

A single cross between two clones of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa Deg., 2n = 18) was selected for genetic mapping. The mapping population was composed of 90 F1 plants derived from a cross between 'IAPAR 123' (female parent) and 'IAPAR 06' (male parent). A total of 380 RAPD primers were analyzed according to two-way pseudo-testcross mapping design. The linkage analysis was performed using Mapmaker version 3.0 with LOD 4.0 and a maximum recombination fraction (theta) of 0.30. Map distances were estimated using the Kosambi mapping function. Linkage maps were constructed with 269 loci (2.38 markers/primer), of which 255 segregated 1:1, corresponding to a heterozygous state in one parent and null in the other. The linkage map for 'IAPAR123' consisted of 135 markers. A total of nine linkage groups were assembled covering 727.7 cM, with an average distance of 11.20 cM between framework loci. The sizes of the linkage groups ranged from 56 to 144.6 cM. The linkage map for 'IAPAR 06' consisted of 96 markers, covering 783.5 cM. The average distance between framework loci was 12.2 cM. The length of the nine linkage groups ranged from 20.6 to 144.2 cM. On average, both maps provided 61% genome coverage. Twenty-four loci (8.9%) remained unlinked. Among their many applications, these maps are a starting point for the identification of quantitative trait loci for resistance to the main bacterial disease affecting passion fruit orchards in Brazil, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. passiflorae, because parental genotypes exhibit diverse responses to bacterial inoculation.     

A framework genetic map of Muscadinia rotundifolia

This study presents a framework linkage map based on microsatellite markers for Muscadinia rotundifolia (1n?=?20). The mapping population consisted of 206 progeny generated from a cross of two M. rotundifolia varieties, 'Fry' and 'Trayshed'. A total of 884 primers were tested for their ability to amplify markers: 686 amplified and 312 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs generated 322 polymorphic markers for either one or both parents. The map for the female parent 'Fry' consisted of 212 markers and covered 879?cM on 18 chromosomes. The average distance between the markers was 4.1?cM and chromosome 6 was not represented due to a lack of polymorphic markers. The map for the male parent 'Trayshed' consisted of 191 markers and covered 841?cM on 19 chromosomes. The consensus map consisted of 314 markers on 19 chromosomes with a total distance of 1,088?cM, which represented 66?% of the distance covered by the Vitis vinifera reference linkage map. Marker density varied greatly among chromosomes from 5 to 35 mapped markers. Relatively good synteny was observed across 19 chromosomes based on markers in common with the V. vinifera reference map. Extreme segregation distortion was observed for chromosome 8 and 14 on the female parent map, and 4 on the male parent map. The lack of mapping coverage for the 20th M. rotundifolia chromosome is discussed in relation to possible evolutionary events that led to the reduction in chromosome number from 21 to 19 in the ancestral genome.     

A genetic linkage map of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), based on AFLP and microsatellite markers

We present the first genetic maps of the sea cucumber ( Apostichopus japonicus ), constructed with an F₁ pseudo-testcross strategy. The 37 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations chosen identified 484 polymorphic markers. Of the 21 microsatellite primer pairs tested, 16 identified heterozygous loci in one or other parent, and six were fully informative, as they segregated in both parents. The female map comprised 163 loci, spread over 20 linkage groups (which equals the haploid chromosome number), and spanned 1522.0 cM, with a mean marker density of 9.3 cM. The equivalent figures for the male map were 162 loci, 21 linkage groups, 1276.9 and 7.9 cM. About 2.5% of the AFLP markers displayed segregation distortion and were not used for map construction. The estimated coverage of the genome was 84.8% for the female map and 83.4% for the male map. The maps generated will serve as a basis for the construction of a high-resolution genetic map and mapping of the functional genes and quantitative trait loci, which will then open the way for the application of a marker-assisted selection breeding strategy in this species.     

A microsatellite marker based framework linkage map of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.

We have constructed a framework linkage map based on microsatellite markers for Vitis vinifera L., the European wine grape. The mapping population consisted of 153 progeny plants from a cross of Vitis vinifera cvs. Riesling × Cabernet Sauvignon. One hundred fifty-two microsatellite markers and one polymorphic EST marker have been mapped to 20 linkage groups (2n=38). The map covers 1,728 cM with an average distance between markers of 11.0 cM. Estimates of genome size, expected genome coverage, and observed genome coverage were determined with 135–140 markers. Genome length estimates differed between paternal and maternal data sets. Observed approximate genome coverage was 65% versus an expected coverage of 90%. Meiotic recombination rates were not significantly different between maternal and paternal parents. This map has been adopted as a reference map for the International Grape Genome Program.Communicated by C. Möllers     

A genetic linkage map of Pacific white shrimp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis>): sex-linked microsatellite markers and high recombination rates

Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is the leading species farmed in the Western Hemisphere and an economically important aquaculture species in China. In this project, a genetic linkage map was constructed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite markers. One hundred and eight select AFLP primer combinations and 30 polymorphic microsatellite markers produced 2071 markers that were polymorphic in either of the parents and segregated in the progeny. Of these segregating markers, 319 were mapped to 45 linkage groups of the female framework map, covering a total of 4134.4 cM; and 267 markers were assigned to 45 linkage groups of the male map, covering a total of 3220.9 cM. High recombination rates were found in both parental maps. A sex-linked microsatellite marker was mapped on the female map with 6.6 cM to sex and a LOD of 17.8, two other microsatellite markers were also linked with both 8.6 cM to sex and LOD score of 14.3 and 16.4. The genetic maps presented here will serve as a basis for the construction of a high-resolution genetic map, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) detection, marker-assisted selection (MAS) and comparative genome mapping.     

Genetic maps of SSR and SRAP markers in diploid orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) using the pseudo-testcross strategy

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is one of the most important cool-season forage grasses commonly grown throughout the temperate regions of the world. The objective of this work was to construct a diploid (2n = 2x = 14) orchardgrass genetic linkage map useful as a framework for basic genetic studies and plant breeding. A combination of simple sequence repeat (SSR) and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) molecular markers were used for map construction. The linkage relationships among 164 SSRs and 108 SRAPs, assayed in a pseudo-testcross F1 segregating population generated from a cross between two diploid parents, were used to construct male (01996) and female (YA02-103) parental genetic maps. The paternal genetic map contains 90 markers (57 SSRs and 33 SRAPs) over 9 linkage groups (LGs), and the maternal genetic map is composed of 87 markers (54 SSRs and 33 SRAPs) assembled over 10 LGs. The total map distance of the male map is 866.7 centimorgans (cM), representing 81% genome coverage, whereas the female map spans 772.0 cM, representing 75% coverage. The mean map distance between markers is 9.6 cM in the male map and 8.9 cM in the female map. About 14% of the markers remained unassigned. The level of segregation distortion observed in this cross was 15%. Homology between the two maps was established between five LGs of the male map and five LGs of the female map using 10 bridging markers. The information presented in this study establishes a foundation for extending genetic mapping in this species, serves as a framework for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and provides basic information for future molecular breeding studies.     

An AFLP-based linkage map of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) using haploid DNA samples of megagametophytes from a single maternal tree

We have constructed an AFLP-based linkage map of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Siebold et Zucc.) using haploid DNA samples of 96 megagametophytes from a single maternal tree, selection clone Kyungbuk 4. Twenty-eight primer pairs generated a total of 5,780 AFLP fragments. Five hundreds and thirteen fragments were verified as genetic markers with two alleles by their Mendelian segregation. At the linkage criteria LOD 4.0 and maximum recombination fraction 0.25(theta), a total of 152 markers constituted 25 framework maps for 19 major linkage groups. The maps spanned a total length of 2,341 cM with an average framework marker spacing of 18.4 cM. The estimated genome size was 2,662 cM. With an assumption of equal marker density, 82.2% of the estimated genome would be within 10 cM of one of the 230 linked markers, and 68.1% would be within 10 cM of one of the 152 framework markers. We evaluated map completeness in terms of LOD value, marker density, genome length, and map coverage. The resulting map will provide crucial information for future genomic studies of the Japanese red pine, in particular for QTL mapping of economically important breeding target traits.     

Construction of a genetic linkage map in Fenneropenaeus chinensis using SNP markers

Genetic linkage maps of Fenneropenaeus chinensis were constructed using a “double pseudo-testcross” strategy with 200 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers. This study represents the first SNP genetic linkage map for F. chinensis. The parents and F ₁ progeny of 100 individuals were used as mapping populations. 21 genetic linkage groups in the male and female maps were identified. The male linkage map was composed of 115 loci and spanned 879.7 cM, with an average intermarker spacing of 9.4 cM, while the female map was composed of 119 loci and spanned 876.2 cM, with an average intermarker spacing of 8.9 cM. The estimated coverage of the linkage maps was 51.94% for the male and 53.77% for the female, based on two estimates of genome length. The integrated map contains 180 markers distributed in 16 linkage groups, and spans 899.3 cM with an average marker interval of 5.2 cM. This SNP genetic map lays the foundation for future shrimp genomics and genetic breeding studies, especially the discovery of gene or regions for economically important traits in Chinese shrimp.     

A Preliminary Genetic Linkage Map of the Pacific Abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino

Preliminary genetic linkage maps were constructed for the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and microsatellite markers segregating in a F₁ family. Nine microsatellite loci, 41 RAPD, and 2688 AFLP markers were genotyped in the parents and 86 progeny of the mapping family. Among the 2738 markers, 384 (including 365 AFLP markers, 10 RAPD markers, and 9 microsatellite loci) were polymorphic and segregated in one or both parents: 241 in the female and 146 in the male. The majority of these markers, 232 in the female and 134 in the male, segregated according to the expected 1:1 Mendelian ratio (α = 0.05). Two genetic linkage maps were constructed using markers segregating in the female or the male parent. The female framework map consisted of 119 markers in 22 linkage groups, covering 1773.6 cM with an average intermarker space of 18.3 cM. The male framework map contained 94 markers in 19 linkage groups, spanning 1365.9 cM with an average intermarker space of 18.2 cM. The sex determination locus was mapped to the male map but not to the female map, suggesting a XY-male determination mechanism. Distorted markers showing excess of homozygotes were mapped in clusters, probably because of their linkage to a gene that is incompatible between two parental populations.     

Preliminary interspecific genetic maps of the populus genome constructed from RAPD markers.

We have constructed RAPD-based linkage maps for an interspecific cross between two species of the genus Populus (P. adenopoda and P. alba), based on a double pseudo-test-cross strategy. Of a total of 360 polymorphic fragments scored, 290 showed a test-cross configuration, corresponding to DNA polymorphisms heterozygous in one parent and null in the other. In the female parent, P. adenopoda, 82 markers were grouped in 19 different linkage groups (553 cM), whereas in the male parent P. alba, 197 markers established a much more complete framework map with an observed genome length of 2300 cM covering 87% of the total P. alba genome. The larger number of test-cross markers detected for the P. alba parent than for the P. adenopoda parent might be due to a higher level of heterozygosity in the former than in the latter. In this study, we detected only a small percentage (2%) of the intercross dominant markers heterozygous in both parents and segregating 3:1 in the progeny. The further focus in this mapping study should be on the identification of more intercross markers, to align the two parent-specific maps into a consensus map for mapping important genes causing species differentiation during long evolutionary divergences.     

Genetic maps for Pinus elliottii var. elliottii and P. caribaea var. hondurensis using AFLP and microsatellite markers

Genetic maps for individual Pinus elliottii var. elliottii and P. caribaea var. hondurensis trees were generated using a pseudo-testcross mapping strategy. A total of 329 amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) and 12 microsatellite markers were found to segregate in a sample of 93 interspecfic F(1) progeny. The male P. caribaea var. hondurensis parent was more heterozygous than the female P. elliottii var. elliottii parent with 19% more markers segregating on the male side. Framework maps were constructed using a LOD 5 threshold for grouping and interval support threshold of LOD 2. The framework map length for the P. elliottii var. elliottii megagametophyte parent (1,170 cM Kosambi; 23 linkage groups) was notably smaller than the P. caribaea var. hondurensis pollen parent (1,658 cM Kosambi; 27 linkage groups). The difference in map lengths was assumed to be due to sex-related recombination variation, which has been previously reported for pines, as the difference in map lengths not be accounted for by the larger number of markers mapping to the P. caribaea var. hondurensis parent - 109 compared with 78 in P. elliottii var. elliottii parent. Based on estimated genome sizes for these species, the framework maps for P. elliottii var. elliottii and P. caribaea var. hondurensis covered 82% and 88% of their respective genomes. The pseudo-testcross strategy was extended to include AFLP and microsatellite markers in an intercross configuration. These comprehensive maps provided further genome coverage, 1,548 and 1,828 cM Kosambi for P. elliottii var. elliottii and P. caribaea var. hondurensis, respectively, and enabled homologous linkage groups to be identified in the two parental maps. Homologous linkage groups were identified for 11 out of 24 P. elliottii var. elliottii and 10 out of 25 P. caribaea var. hondurensis groups. A higher than expected level of segregation distortion was found for both AFLP and microsatellite markers. An explanation for this segregation distortion was not clear, but it may be at least in part due to genetic mechanisms for species isolation in this wide cross.     

Linkage maps of microsatellite DNA markers for the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

We constructed male and female consensus linkage maps for the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, using a total of 102 microsatellite DNA markers typed in 11-day-old larvae from three families. We identified 11 and 12 linkage groups in the male and female consensus maps, respectively. Alignment of these separate maps, however, suggests 10 linkage groups, which agrees with the haploid chromosome number. The male linkage map comprises 88 loci and spans 616.1 cM, while the female map comprises 86 loci and spans 770.5 cM. The male and the female maps share 74 loci; 2 markers remain unlinked. The estimated coverages for the consensus linkage maps are 79% for the male and 70-75% for the female, on the basis of two estimates of genome length. Ninety-five percent of the genome is expected to lie within 16 and 21 cM of markers on the male and female maps, respectively, while 95% of simulated minimum distances to the male and female maps are within 10.1 and 13.6 cM, respectively. Females have significantly more recombination than males, across 118 pairs of linked markers in common to the parents of the three families. Significant differences in recombination and orders of markers are also evident among same-sex parents of different families as well as sibling parents of opposite sex. These observations suggest that polymorphism for chromosomal rearrangements may exist in natural populations, which could have profound implications for interpreting the evolutionary genetics of the oyster. These are the first linkage maps for a bivalve mollusc that use microsatellite DNA markers, which should enable them to be transferred to other families and to be useful for further genetic analyses such as QTL mapping.     

A second‐generation genetic linkage map for bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) based on microsatellite markers

Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) is an important aquaculture fish worldwide. Genetic linkage maps for the species were previously reported, but map resolution remained to be improved. In this study, a second‐generation genetic linkage map was constructed for bighead carp through a pseudo‐testcross strategy using interspecific hybrids between bighead carp and silver carp. Of the 754 microsatellites genotyped in two interspecific mapping families (with 77 progenies for each family), 659 markers were assigned to 24 linkage groups, which were equal to the chromosome numbers of the haploid genome. The consensus map spanned 1917.3 cM covering 92.8% of the estimated bighead carp genome with an average marker interval of 2.9 cM. The length of linkage groups ranged from 52.2 to 133.5 cM with an average of 79.9 cM. The number of markers per linkage group varied from 11 to 55 with an average of 27.5 per linkage group. Normality tests on interval distances of the map showed a non‐normal marker distribution; however, significant correlation was found between the length of linkage group and the number of markers below the 0.01 significance level (two‐tailed). The length of the female map was 1.12 times that of the male map, and the average recombination ratio of female to male was 1.10:1. Visual inspection showed that distorted markers gathered in some linkage groups and in certain regions of the male and female maps. This well‐defined genetic linkage map will provide a basic framework for further genome mapping of quantitative traits, comparative mapping and marker‐assisted breeding in bighead carp.     

Genetic linkage maps of barfin flounder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Verasper moseri</Emphasis>) and spotted halibut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Verasper variegatus</Emphasis>) based on AFLP and microsatellite markers

Barfin flounder (Verasper moseri) and spotted halibut (Verasper variegatus) are two economically important marine fish species for aquaculture in China, Korea and Japan. Construction of genetic linkage maps is an interesting issue for molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) and for better understanding the genome structure. In the present study, we constructed genetic linkage maps for both fish species using AFLP and microsatellite markers based on an interspecific F₁ hybrid family (female V. moseri and male V. variegatus). The female genetic map comprised 98 markers (58 AFLP markers and 40 microsatellite markers), distributing in 27 linkage groups, and spanning 637 cM with an average resolution of 8.9 cM. Whereas the male genetic map consisted of 86 markers (48 AFLP and 38 microsatellite markers) in 24 linkage groups, covering a length of 625 cM with an average marker spacing of 10 cM. The expected genome length was 1,128 cM in female and 1,115 cM in male, and the estimated coverage of genome was 56% for both genetic maps. Moreover, five microsatellite markers were observed to be common to both genetic maps. This is the first time to report the genetic linkage maps of V. moseri and V. variegatus that could serve as the basis for genetic improvement and selective breeding, candidate genes cloning, and genome structure research.     

RFLP mapping in Brassica nigra indicates differing recombination rates in male and female meioses.

A genetic linkage map of Brassica nigra, comprised of 288 loci in eight linkage groups, was constructed. The linkage groups varied in size from 72 to 159 cM and the total map length was 855 cM. The recurrent parent used in the backcross was extremely heterozygous. This allowed recombination to be estimated separately for female (recurrent parent) meiosis and male (F1) meiosis over a large proportion of the genome. Significant differences between male and female recombination frequencies were observed on all six linkage groups where data was available for both sexes. Enhanced male recombination frequencies were observed that were associated with proterminal regions, while enhanced female recombination frequencies were adjacent to putative centromeres. It is possible that the distinct genotypes of the F1 (male) and recurrent (female) parents contributed to the observed differences in recombination. However, this study emphasizes the need to consider potential sex differences, in both the rate and the position of recombination, when planning genetic experiments and breeding programmes.     

A genetic linkage map of water yam ( Dioscorea alata L.) based on AFLP markers and QTL analysis for anthracnose resistance

A genetic linkage map of the tetraploid water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) genome was constructed based on 469 co-dominantly scored amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers segregating in an intraspecific F₁ cross. The F₁ was obtained by crossing two improved breeding lines, TDa 95/00328 as female parent and TDa 87/01091 as male parent. Since the mapping population was an F₁ cross between presumed heterozygous parents, marker segregation data from both parents were initially split into maternal and paternal data sets, and separate genetic linkage maps were constructed. Later, data analysis showed that this was not necessary and thus the combined markers from both parents were used to construct a genetic linkage map. The 469 markers were mapped on 20 linkage groups with a total map length of 1,233 cM and a mean marker spacing of 2.62 cM. The markers segregated like a diploid cross-pollinator population suggesting that the water yam genome is allo-tetraploid (2n = 4x = 40). QTL mapping revealed one AFLP marker E-14/M52-307 located on linkage group 2 that was associated with anthracnose resistance, explaining 10% of the total phenotypic variance. This map covers 65% of the yam genome and is the first linkage map reported for D. alata. The map provides a tool for further genetic analysis of traits of agronomic importance and for using marker-assisted selection in D. alata breeding programmes. QTL mapping opens new avenues for accumulating anthracnose resistance genes in preferred D. alata cultivars.