An estimation of the genome length of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.)

The genome length, in units of Morgans or centimorgans, is a fundamental feature of a species. It can be calculated from a complete linkage map. However, the genome size can be estimated with partial linkage data. Using linkage data obtained by the analysis of a two-dimensional electrophoresis of the proteins contained in an haploid organ, the megagametophyte, an estimation and a confidence interval of the genome length of a gymnosperm, the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.)is suggested. The results indicate an important gap between the physical and the genetic maps.