A LINKAGE MAP OF THE CANINE GENOME

A genetic linkage map of the canine genome has been developed by typin g 150 microsatellite markers using 17 three-generation pedigrees, comp osed of 163 F-2 individuals. One hundred and thirty-nine markers were Linked to at least one other marker with a lod score greater than or e qual to 3.0, identifying 30 linkage groups. The largest chromosome had 9 markers spanning 106.1 cM. The average distance between markers was 14.03 cM, and the map covers an estimated 2073 cM. Eleven markers mer e informative on the mapping panel, but were unlinked to any other mar ker. These likely represent single markers located on small, distinct canine chromosomes. This map will be the initial resource for mapping canine traits of interest and serve as a foundation for development of a comprehensive canine genetic map. (C) 1997 Academic Press.