LINKAGE MAP FOR AEDES-AEGYPTI USING RESTRICTION-FRAGMENT-LENGTH-POLYMORPHISMS

We report construction of a genetic linkage map for the mosquito, Aede s aegypti, based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). The map consists of 50 DNA markers that identify 53 loci covering 134 map units across three linkage groups. Determination of linkage assoc iations between RFLP markers and several mutant marker loci allowed fo r partial integration of the RFLP markers with an existing classical g enetic linkage map for A. aegypti. The RFLP markers include 42 random cDNA clones, three random genomic DNA clones, and five cDNA clones of known genes. We discuss the influence of autosomal sex determination, characteristic of culicine mosquitoes, in relation to its observed inf luence on segregation ratios. This has important ramifications for fut ure efforts to identify quantitative trait loci associated with the ab ility of these mosquitoes to transmit various pathogens and parasites to man and other animals.