HIGH RESOLUTION GENETIC LINKAGE MAP OF MICROSATELLITES IN THE TILAPIA GENOME

Biosoft AS, Oslo Research Park, Gaustadalleen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway

We have constructed a high resolution genetic map of tilapia, a commercially important fish species, using dinucleotide microsatellite markers. The DNA markers were typed against a three generation family material consisting of 70 F2 individuals. A total of 357 informative markers are placed in 26 linkage groups, which cover 22 chromosomes and span 1900 cM. The average distance between markers is 4-5 cM, but will be denser as the 90 remaining markers are placed. This map is still in progress but can provide the basis for QTL analysis of important phenotypic traits.