LINKAGE DISEQUILIBRIUM IN ADMIXED POPULATIONS - APPLICATIONS IN GENE-MAPPING

A method to detect linkage of genetic traits to polymorphic DNA marker s in outbred populations when pedigree analysis is not feasible is pre sented. The procedure takes advantage of increased linkage disequilibr ium that occurs when isolated races or subspecies mate and interbreed. By selecting restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) or micro satellite marker loci that have different allele frequencies in admire d populations, genetic associations produced de novo by hybridization will persist as a function of theta (map distance) for 10-20 generatio ns after initial interbreeding. By careful selection of loci and study populations, the procedure detects linkage of traits otherwise refrac tory to linkage analysis.