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.     

Genetic Mapping of Laminaria japonica and L. Iongissima Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers in a ＂Two-Way Pseudo- Testcross＂ Strategy

With a ＂two-way pseudo-testcross＂ mapping strategy, we applied the amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） markers to construct two moderate density genetic linkage maps for Laminaria. The linkage maps were generated from the 60 progenies of the F1 cross family （Laminaria iongissima Aresch. × L. Japonica Miyabe） with twenty pairs of primer combinations. Of the 333 polymorphic loci scored in 60 progenies, 173 segregated in a 1：1 ratio, corresponding to DNA polymorphisms heterozygous in a single parent, and the other 58 loci existing in both parents followed a 3：1 Mendelian segregation ratio. Among the loci with 1：1 segregating ratios, 79 loci were ordered in 14 linkage groups （648.6 cM） of the paternal map, and 72 loci were ordered in 14 linkage groups （601.9 cM） of the maternal map. The average density of loci was approximately 1 per 8 cM. To Investigate the homologies between two parental maps, we used 58 loci segregated 3：1 for further analysis, and deduced one homologous linkage group. The linkage data developed in these maps will be useful for detecting loci-controlling commercially important traits for Laminaria.     

Application of AFLP, RAPD and ISSR markers to genetic mapping of European and Japanese larch

Genetic linkage maps have been increasingly developed for a wide variety of plants, using segregating populations such as F₂s or backcrosses between inbred lines. These pedigrees are rarely available in outbred species like forest trees which have long generation times. Thus genetic mapping studies have to use peculiar pedigrees and markers in appropriate configurations. We constructed single-tree genetic linkage maps of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) and Japanese larch [Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.] using segregation data from 112 progeny individuals of an hybrid family. A total of 266 markers (114 AFLP, 149 RAPD and 3 ISSR loci) showing a testcross configuration, i.e.heterozygous in one parent and null in the other parent, were grouped at LOD 4.0, θ=0.3. The maternal parent map (L. decidua)consisted of 117 markers partitioned within 17 linkage groups (1152 cM) and the paternal parent map (L. kaempferi) had 125 markers assembled into 21 linkage groups (1206 cM). The map distance covered by markers was determined by adding a 34.7-cM independence distance at the end of each group and unlinked marker. It reached 2537 cM and 2997 cM respectively for European larch and Japanese larch, and represented respectively a 79.6% and 80.8% coverage of the overall genome. A few 3:1 segregating markers were used to identify homologous linkage groups between the European larch and the Japanese larch genetic maps. The PCR-based molecular markers allowed the construction of genetic maps, thus ensuring a good coverage of the larch genome for further QTL detection and mapping studies. Received: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 29 March 1999     

Genetic Linkage Maps of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula platyphylla</Emphasis> Suk Based on ISSR and AFLP Markers

Two separate genetic linkage maps for Chinese silver birch based on inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) were constructed by a pseudo-testcross mapping strategy. Eighty F₁ progenies were obtained from the cross between two parental trees with desirable traits (the paternal one selected from ‘Qinghai’ and the maternal one from ‘Wangqing’). A total of 46 ISSR primers and 31 AFLP primers were employed to generate 102 ISSR and 355 AFLP polymorphic markers in the F₁ progenies. About 5.7% of all the markers displayed high segregation distortion with a P value below 0.01 and such markers were not used for map constructions. The paternal map consisted of 137 loci, spread over 13 groups and spanned 694.2 cM at an average distance of 5.1 cM between the markers, while in the maternal map, 147 loci were distributed in 14 groups covering a map distance about 949.62 cM at an average distance of 6.5 cM. These initial maps can serve as the basis for developing a more detailed genetic map.     

Construction of integrated genetic linkage maps of the tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) using microsatellite and AFLP markers

The linkage maps of male and female tiger shrimp (P. monodon) were constructed based on 256 microsatellite and 85 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Microsatellite markers obtained from clone sequences of partial genomic libraries, tandem repeat sequences from databases and previous publications and fosmid end sequences were employed. Of 670 microsatellite and 158 AFLP markers tested for polymorphism, 341 (256 microsatellite and 85 AFLP markers) were used for genotyping with three F₁ mapping panels, each comprising two parents and more than 100 progeny. Chi‐square goodness‐of‐fit test (χ²) revealed that only 19 microsatellite and 28 AFLP markers showed a highly significant segregation distortion (P < 0.005). Linkage analysis with a LOD score of 4.5 revealed 43 and 46 linkage groups in male and female linkage maps respectively. The male map consisted of 176 microsatellite and 49 AFLP markers spaced every ～11.2 cM, with an observed genome length of 2033.4 cM. The female map consisted of 171 microsatellite and 36 AFLP markers spaced every ～13.8 cM, with an observed genome length of 2182 cM. Both maps shared 136 microsatellite markers, and the alignment between them indicated 38 homologous pairs of linkage groups including the linkage group representing the sex chromosome. The karyotype of P. monodon is also presented. The tentative assignment of the 44 pairs of P. monodon haploid chromosomes showed the composition of forty metacentric, one submetacentric and three acrocentric chromosomes. Our maps provided a solid foundation for gene and QTL mapping in the tiger shrimp.     

The first genetic linkage map of Eucommia ulmoides

In accordance with pseudo-testcross strategy, the first genetic linkage map of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. was constructed by an F₁ population of 122 plants using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. A total of 22 AFLP primer combinations generated 363 polymorphic markers. We selected 289 markers segregating as 1:1 and used them for constructing the parent-specific linkage maps. Among the candidate markers, 127 markers were placed on the maternal map LF and 108 markers on the paternal map Q1. The maternal map LF spanned 1116.1 cM in 14 linkage groups with a mean map distance of 8.78 cM; the paternal map Q1 spanned 929.6 cM in 12 linkage groups with an average spacing of 8.61 cM. The estimated coverage of the genome through two methods was 78.5 and 73.9% for LF, and 76.8 and 71.2% for Q1, respectively. This map is the first linkage map of E. ulmoides and provides a basis for mapping quantitative-trait loci and breeding applications.     

A genetic linkage map of tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] based on amplified fragment length polymorphism

A genetic linkage map of tef was constructed with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers using F₅ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived by single seed descent from the intraspecific cross of ’Kaye Murri’×’Fesho’. A total of 192 EcoRI/MseI primer combinations were screened for parental polymorphism. Around three polymorphic fragments per primer combination were detected, indicating a low polymorphism level in tef. Fifty primer combinations were selected to assay the mapping population, and 226 loci segregated among 85 F₅ RILs. Most AFLP loci behaved as dominant markers (presence or absence of a band), but about 15% of the loci were codominant. Significant deviations from the expected Mendelian segregation ratio were observed for 26 loci. The genetic linkage map comprised 211 markers assembled into 25 linkage groups and covered 2,149 cM of genome. AFLP is an efficient marker system for mapping plant species with low polymorphism such as tef. This is the first genetic linkage map constructed for tef. It will facilitate the mapping of genes controlling agronomically important traits and cultivar improvement in tef. Received: 27 April 1998 / Accepted: 4 January 1999     

QTL mapping ofFusarium moniliforme ear rot resistance in maize. 1. Map construction with microsatellite and AFLP markers

To map the QTLsof Fusarium moniliforme ear rot resistance inZea mays L., a total of 230 F₂ individuals, derived from a single cross between inbred maize lines R15 (resistant) and Ye478 (susceptible), were genotyped for genetic map construction using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. We used 778 pairs of SSR primers and 63 combinations of AFLP primers to detect the polymorphisms between parents, R15 and Ye478. From the polymorphic 30 AFLP primer combinations and 159 SSR primers, we scored 260 loci in the F₂ population, among which 8 SSR and 13 AFLP loci could not be assigned to any of the linkage groups. An integrated molecular genetic linkage map was constructed by the remaining 151 SSR and 88 AFLP markers, which distributed throughout the 10 linkage groups of maize and spanned the genome of about 3463.5 cM with an average of 14.5 cM between two markers. On 4 chromosomes, we detected 5 putative segregation distortion regions (SDR_s), including 2 new ones (SDR₂ and SDR₇). The other 3 SDR_s were located near the regions where gametophyte genes were mapped, indicating that segregation distortion could be partially caused by gametophytic factors.     

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.     

Low efficiency of pseudotestcross mapping design was consistent with limited genetic diversity and low heterozygosity in hoop pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Araucaria cunninghamii</Emphasis>, Araucariaceae)

Linkage maps were prepared for two Araucaria cunninghamii individuals (coded H15 and Gil24) using the pseudotestcross strategy in a wide interprovenance cross. The maternal map for individual H15 contains 14 linkage groups (haploid chromosome number=13), comprising 51 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and 1 microsatellite; 17 markers remain unlinked. The map covered 1,290 cM [Kosambi (K)], representing 89% of the estimated genome size. The paternal map for individual Gil24 was shorter, 633 cM (K), consisted of eight linkage groups, with an average interval of 19.8 cM (K). The difference in map lengths was due to the larger number of informative markers for maternal parent (52 loci compared with 25 loci in the paternal parent). There was no significant difference in map lengths once maps were corrected for different numbers of loci. Overall, the number of segregating markers identified was surprisingly low for a wide interprovenance cross in an outcrossing tree species. For AFLP, a low average of 2.2 segregating markers per primer combination was obtained, and only 4 out of 29 microsatellite loci were informative in the cross. This low level of marker variation appears to be the result of low levels of heterozygosity in the parents and low levels of genetic divergence within A. cunninghamii. This result was consistent with other recent molecular studies of A. cunninghamii that indicate that the species may have low genetic diversity and possibly experiences localised inbreeding.     

AFLP linkage map of the Japanese quail Coturnix japonica

The quail is a valuable farm and laboratory animal. Yet molecular information about this species remains scarce. We present here the first genetic linkage map of the Japanese quail. This comprehensive map is based solely on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. These markers were developed and genotyped in an F2 progeny from a cross between two lines of quail differing in stress reactivity. A total of 432 polymorphic AFLP markers were detected with 24 TaqI/EcoRI primer combinations. On average, 18 markers were produced per primer combination. Two hundred and fifty eight of the polymorphic markers were assigned to 39 autosomal linkage groups plus the ZW sex chromosome linkage groups. The linkage groups range from 2 to 28 markers and from 0.0 to 195.5 cM. The AFLP map covers a total length of 1516 cM, with an average genetic distance between two consecutive markers of 7.6 cM. This AFLP map can be enriched with other marker types, especially mapped chicken genes that will enable to link the maps of both species and make use of the powerful comparative mapping approach. This AFLP map of the Japanese quail already provides an efficient tool for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping.     

Transmission ratio distortion in intraspecific hybrids of Mimulus guttatus: implications for genomic divergence

We constructed a genetic linkage map between two divergent populations of Mimulus guttatus. We genotyped an F(2) mapping population (N = 539) at 154 AFLP, microsatellite, and gene-based markers. A framework map was constructed consisting of 112 marker loci on 14 linkage groups with a total map length of 1518 cM Kosambi. Nearly half of all markers (48%) exhibited significant transmission ratio distortion (alpha = 0.05). By using a Bayesian multipoint mapping method and visual inspection of significantly distorted markers, we detected 12 transmission ratio distorting loci (TRDL) throughout the genome. The high degree of segregation distortion detected in this intraspecific map indicates substantial genomic divergence that perhaps suggests genomic incompatibilities between these two populations. We compare the pattern of transmission ratio distortion in this map to an interspecific map constructed between M. guttatus and M. nasutus. A similar level of segregation distortion is detected in both maps. Collinear regions between maps are compared to determine if there are shared genetic patterns of non-Mendelian segregation distortion within and among Mimulus species.     

An integrated interspecific AFLP map of lettuce (Lactuca) based on two L. sativa × L. saligna F2 populations

AFLP markers were obtained with 12 EcoRI/ MseI primer combinations on two independent F₂ populations of Lactuca sativa ×Lactuca saligna. The polymorphism rates of the AFLP products between the two different L. saligna lines was 39%, between the two different L. sativa cultivars 13% and between the L. sativa and L. saligna parents on average 81%. In both F₂ populations segregation distortion was found, but only Chromosome 5 showed skewness that was similar for both populations. Two independent genetic maps of the two F₂ populations were constructed that could be integrated due to the high similarity in marker order and map distances of 124 markers common to both populations. The integrated map consisted of 476 AFLP markers and 12 SSRs on nine linkage groups spanning 854 cM. The AFLP markers on the integrated map were randomly distributed with an average spacing between markers of 1.8 cM and a maximal distance of 16 cM. Furthermore, the AFLP markers did not show severe clustering. This AFLP map provides good opportunities for use in QTL mapping and marker-assisted selection. Received: 13 July 2000 / Accepted: 19 January 2001     

An SSR- and AFLP-based genetic linkage map of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is commonly grown as forage and turf grass in the temperate regions of the world. Here, we report the first genetic map of tall fescue constructed with PCR-based markers. A combination of amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) of both tall fescue and those conserved in grass species was used for map construction. Genomic SSRs developed from Festuca × Lolium hybrids were also mapped. Two parental maps were initially constructed using a two-way pseudo-testcross mapping strategy. The female (HD28-56) map included 558 loci placed in 22 linkage groups (LGs) and covered 2,013 cM of the genome. In the male (R43-64) map, 579 loci were grouped in 22 LGs with a total map length of 1,722 cM. The marker density in the two maps varied from 3.61 cM (female parent) to 2.97 (male parent) cM per marker. These differences in map length indicated a reduced level of recombination in the male parent. Markers that revealed polymorphism within both parents and showed 3:1 segregation ratios were used as bridging loci to integrate the two parental maps as a bi-parental consensus. The integrated map covers 1,841 cM on 17 LGs, with an average of 54 loci per LG, and has an average marker density of 2.0 cM per marker. Homoeologous relationships among linkage groups of six of the seven predicted homeologous groups were identified. Three small groups from the HD28-56 map and four from the R43-64 map are yet to be integrated. Homoeologues of four of those groups were detected. Except for a few gaps, markers are well distributed throughout the genome. Clustering of those markers showing significant segregation distortion (23% of total) was observed in four of the LGs of the integrated map.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

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.     

Genetic linkage maps of white birches (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula platyphylla</Emphasis> Suk. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. pendula</Emphasis> Roth) based on RAPD and AFLP markers

A pseudo-testcross mapping strategy was used in combination with the random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genotyping methods to develop two moderately dense genetic linkage maps for Betula platyphylla Suk. (Asian white birch) and B. pendula Roth (European white birch). Eighty F₁ progenies were screened with 291 RAPD markers and 451 AFLP markers. We selected 230 RAPD and 362 AFLP markers with 1:1 segregation and used them for constructing the parent-specific linkage maps. The resultant map for B. platyphylla was composed of 226 markers in 24 linkage groups (LGs), and spanned 2864.5 cM with an average of 14.3 cM between adjacent markers. The linkage map for B. pendula was composed of 226 markers in 23 LGs, covering 2489.7 cM. The average map distance between adjacent markers was 13.1 cM. Clustering of AFLP markers was observed on several LGs. The availability of these white birch linkage maps will contribute to the molecular genetics and the implementation of marker-assisted selection in these important forest species.     

A genetic linkage map of Guinea yam ( Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) based on AFLP markers

A genetic linkage map of the tetraploid white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) was constructed based on 341 co-dominantly scored amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers segregating in an intraspecific F₁ cross. The F₁ mapping population was produced by crossing a landrace cultivar TDr 93-1 as female parent to a breeding line TDr 87/00211 as the male parent. The marker segregation data were split into maternal and paternal data sets, and separate genetic linkage maps were constructed since the mapping population was an F₁ cross between two presumed heterozygous parents. The markers segregated like a diploid cross-pollinator population suggesting that the D. rotundata genome is an allo-tetraploid (2n = 4x = 40). The maternal map comprised 155 markers mapped on 12 linkage groups with a total map length of 891 cM. Three linkage groups consisted of maternal parent markers only. The paternal map consisted of 157 markers mapped on 13 linkage groups with a total map length of 852 cM. Three and one quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with effects on resistance to Yam Mosaic Virus (YMV) were identified on the maternal and paternal linkage maps, respectively. Prospects for detecting more QTLs and using marker-assisted selection in white yam breeding appear good, but this is subject to the identification of additional molecular markers to cover more of the genome.     

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 Map Construction and Detection of Genetic Loci Underlying Segregation Distortion in an Intraspecific Cross of Populus deltoides

Based on a two-way pseudo-testcross strategy, high density and complete coverage linkage maps were constructed for the maternal and paternal parents of an intraspecific F2 pedigree of Populus deltoides. A total of 1,107 testcross markers were obtained, and the mapping population consisted of 376 progeny. Among these markers, 597 were from the mother, and were assigned into 19 linkage groups, spanning a total genetic distance of 1,940.3 cM. The remaining 519 markers were from the father, and were also were mapped into 19 linkage groups, covering 2,496.3 cM. The genome coverage of both maps was estimated as greater than 99.9% at 20 cM per marker, and the numbers of linkage groups of both maps were in accordance with the 19 haploid chromosomes in Populus. Marker segregation distortion was observed in large contiguous blocks on some of the linkage groups. Subsequently, we mapped the segregation distortion loci in this mapping pedigree. Altogether, eight segregation distortion loci with significant logarithm of odds supports were detected. Segregation distortion indicated the uneven transmission of the alternate alleles from the mapping parents. The corresponding genome regions might contain deleterious genes or be associated with hybridization incompatibility. In addition to the detection of segregation distortion loci, the established genetic maps will serve as a basic resource for mapping genetic loci controlling traits of interest in future studies.     

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.