Genome mapping of the orange blotch colour pattern in cichlid fishes.
The dramatic variation of cichlid fish colour pattern is thought to function in mate choice, evolve by sexual selection, and contribute to explosive speciation. Here, we combine linkage mapping and population genetic analyses to identify a single region of the cichlid genome responsible for the orange blotch (OB) colour phenotype. In each analysis, OB is tightly linked to the c-ski1 gene. Additionally, we use comparative mapping information from the Takifugu rubripes and human genomes to suggest positional candidate loci for OB. Our work should engender a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular ecology of OB and its role in cichlid speciation. Moreover, we have assembled the components of a method to focus upon the genetic basis of evolutionarily and ecologically significant phenotypes.
Streelman
J Todd
JT
Hubbard Center For Genome Studies, 4th Floor, Environmental Technology Building, University of New Hampshire, 35 Colovos Road, Durham, NH 03824, USA. jts3@hopper.unh.edu
Albertson
R Craig
RC
Kocher
Thomas D
TD
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D023681:Cichlids / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics*; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005828:Genetics, Population; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins