Levin, I., Department of Microbiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
Crittenden, L.B., Department of Microbiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
Dodgson, J.B., Department of Microbiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States

Commercially important trails of domestic animals have often been genetically linked to sex chromosomes, such as the Z chromosome of chickens. Using a backcross mapping population between two divergent, inbred lines and random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR markers, a genetic map of the chicken Z chromosome has been generated. Thirteen Z-linked RAPD markers were identified, mapped, and linked to two RFLPs and one phenotypic marker. The protocol used also generated RAPD markers for the W chromosome. The linkage distances obtained suggest that the RAPD markers are widely distributed throughout the Z chromosome and are likely to be linked to most or all traits of interest on this chromosome. The map provides a preliminary estimate of genetic to physical distance of about 0.5 Mb per centimorgan for the Z chromosome in chickens (male-specific recombination). A similar approach should be applicable to facilitate the mapping and analysis of sex-linked traits in other domestic animals. © 1993 Academic Press. All rights reserved.