Genetic linkage mapping of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) using microsatellite markers and its application in QTL analysis

Genetic linkage maps of turbot, Scophthalmus maximus L., were constructed using a “double pseudo-testcross” strategy with 158 microsatellite markers. The parents and F1 progeny (100 individuals) were used as segregating populations. We identified 21 and 30 genetic linkage groups in the male and female maps, respectively. The male linkage map was composed of 110 loci and spanned 721.7 cM, with an average intermarker spacing of 9.9 cM, while the female map was composed of 110 loci and spanned 919.1 cM, with an average intermarker spacing of 12.9 cM. The estimated coverage of the linkage maps was 63.5% for the male and 54.2% for the female, based on two estimates of genome length. The ratio of male:female recombination rates for shared markers was 1:1.3. This study represents the second microsatellite genetic linkage map for turbot. In addition, we conducted quantitative trait loci mapping of important economical traits. One possible QTL associated with turbot body length was detected on male linkage group 7. This QTL will be validated in a successive study and is expected to be useful in molecular marker-assisted selection in turbot.