A genetic linkage map of the canine genome was developed by typing 17 three-generation pedigrees, composed of 163 F2 individuals with 150 microsatellite markers. One hundred and thirty-nine markers were linked to at least one other marker with a lod score > or = 3.0, identifying 30 linkage groups. The largest chromosome had 9 markers spanning 106.1 cM. The average distance between markers was 14.03 cM, and the map covers an estimated 2073 cM. Eleven markers were informative on the mapping panel, but were unlinked to any other marker. These likely represent single markers located on small, distinct canine chromosomes. This map was the initial resource for mapping canine traits of interest and was a foundation for development of a comprehensive canine genetic map.

The reference for this paper is:

Mellersh, C.S., Langston, A.A., Acland, G.M., Fleming, M.A., Ray, K., Wiegand, N.A., Francisco, L.V., Gibbs, M., Aguirre, G.D. and Ostrander, E.A. A linkage map of the canine genome. Genomics, 46: 326-336, 1997.

1. Part 1 Linkage groups 1 -12
2. Part 2 Linkage groups 13 -29, X and unlinked markers