STATUS AND PLANS FOR TROUT GENOMIC STUDIES IN WEST VIRGINIA

Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences West Virginia University Morgantown, WV USA

We are in the early phases of a multi-organizational effort to develop a comprehensive genetic map of the rainbow trout. This project represents the efforts of participants from West Virginia University, the US Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, as well as other academic, federal and industry partners. At WVU, we are focusing our efforts on the development of a genetic linkage map based on microsatellites and numerous type I loci. A microsatellite enriched library has been developed for the rapid identification and sequencing of clones and subsequent PCR-primer development. Additionally, previously identified microsatellites from other salmonid species are being evaluated. Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) associated with growth rate, composition of growth, and reproduction are currently being developed. The use of both the type I and II markers will be used in the genotypic screening of phenotypically divergent strains. The linkage map will be used to locate economically important quantitative trait loci (QTLs) including those for growth rate, feed efficiency, disease resistance, reproductive characteristics, temperature/stress tolerance and body composition. We also intend to evaluate the diversity within the current USGS trout strain registry (Kincaid et al., 1997) and several wild populations.