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There it is finally – the first-generation linkage map of the common frog genome. Perhaps not as densely mapped as the genomes of some other more studied vertebrates, but still, one of the densest available for amphibians.
Using some +100 informative microsatellite markers and genotyping 800 F1 offspring, 15 linkage groups (this species has 13 chromosomes) were inferred, and a total sex-average map length was 1689 cM. Assuming 1 cM = 1 Mb, this suggest a genome size at ca 1700 Mb. Three markers known to be male-linked mapped all to one linkage group, suggesting that we managed to hone in to Y-chromosome too.
The map should provide a useful resource for further evolutionary, ecological and conservation genetic work in this and closely related species. The next step is now to use this work to look QTLs for larval life-history traits in the material consisting of the 800 F1 offspring phenotyped for various key larval life-history traits. Stay tuned – more is to follow soon.
Cano J.M., M.-H. Li, A. Laurila, J. Vilkki & J. Merilä (2011) First-generation linkage map for the common frog Rana temporaria reveals sex linkage group. Heredity, in press.
