Comments on lack of interference in the four strand model of crossing over

Summary Assuming a four strand model and no chromatid interference, lack of chiasma interference is known to be equivalent to the assumption that the formation of chiasmata follows a Poisson process. We prove that lack of chiasma interference is also equivalent to the assumption that a random gamete shows recombination on any given interval of a chromosome independently of recombination on all disjoint intervals. Both assumptions are sufficient, but not necessary, for Haldane's formula relating recombination to map distance to be true, as we demonstrate by specific counterexamples. These issues are discussed in the context of the theory of stochastic point processes.Research supported by: University of California at Los Angeles, NIH Special Resources Grant RR-3, and USPHS Predoctoral Traineeship GM 7104.