Linkage mapping reveals sex-dimorphic map distances in a passerine bird.
Linkage maps are lacking for many highly influential model organisms in evolutionary research, including all passerine birds. Consequently, their full potential as research models is severely hampered. Here, we provide a partial linkage map and give novel estimates of sex-specific recombination rates in a passerine bird, the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). Linkage analysis of genotypic data at 51 autosomal microsatellites and seven markers on the Z-chromosome (one of the sex chromosomes) from an extended pedigree resulted in 12 linkage groups with 2-8 loci. A striking feature of the map was the pronounced sex-dimorphism: males had a substantially lower recombination rate than females, which resulted in a suppressed autosomal map in males (sum of linkage groups: 110.2 cM) compared to females (237.2 cM; female/male map ratio: 2.15). The sex-specific recombination rates will facilitate the building of a denser linkage map and cast light on hypotheses about sex-specific recombination rates.
Hansson
Bengt
B
School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK. bengt.hansson@zooekol.lu.se
Akesson
Mikael
M
Slate
Jon
J
Pemberton
Josephine M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D017931:DNA Primers; D005838:Genotype; D008126:Lod Score; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011995:Recombination, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D020308:Songbirds / Q000235:genetics*; D013548:Sweden
D017931:DNA Primers