One-hundred fifty-four genetic markers for the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Identifying and selectively breeding for improved traits is one of the ultimate goals of genetic research in agriculturally important species. Genome characterization and analysis are important first steps in this process. Genetic linkage maps based on the linear order of polymorphic DNA markers are typically developed through statistical analysis of inheritance patterns in pedigreed families. To develop microsatellite markers for further improvement of the turkey genetic linkage map, small-insert genomic libraries were screened for tandem repeats. Oligonuclotide primers were designed to amplify 164 microsatellite-containing fragments from genomic DNA. Genetic polymorphisms at 154 markers were determined by genotyping the F1 individuals of two resource populations. Markers determined as segregating in the University of Minnesota/Nicholas Turkey Breeding Farms (UMN/NTBF) reference population were used to genotype F2 individuals and a two-point linkage analysis was performed.