First-generation physical map of the Culicoides variipennis (Diptera : Ceratopogonidae) genome

Recombinant cosmids labeled with biotin-11-dUTP or digoxigenin by nick tran slation were used as in situ hybridization probes to metaphase chromosomes of Culicoides variipennis (Coquillett). Failed fluorescent signals were det ected on each arm of sister chromatids and were ordered along the 3 chromos omes. Thirty-three unique probes were mapped to the 3 chromosomes of C. var iipennis (2n = 6): 7 to chromosome 1, 20 to chromosome 2, and a to chromoso me 3. This work represents the first stage in generating a physical map of the genome of C. variipennis.