POLYMORPHIC MOLECULAR MARKERS FROM ANONYMOUS NUCLEAR-DNA FOR GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF POPULATIONS

A simple method is presented for developing polymorphic, anonymous DNA markers suitable for population genetic studies. Anonymous DNA fragme nts are screened for sequence variability using a common mutation dete ction technique (single strand conformation polymorphism analysis; SSC P) and locus-specific PCR primers are designed for polymorphic DNA fra gments. Detection of the markers by SSCP analysis coupled with sequenc e analysis of SSCP variants allows rapid screening while retaining inf ormation about the genealogical relationship among alleles. Variabilit y detected for six markers was assessed in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and was compared with variability detected by similar analysis of intron loci. Between three and 12 distinct alleles were observed at each marker locus, and average within-population heterozygosity range d from 0.12 to 0.44. Advantages and limitations of the methodology for population genetic analysis are discussed.