WESTON, J.L.*; RAMSDELL, C.M.; NAPIER, S.C.; BULLARD-DILLARD, R.; BRAITHWAITE, C.; EXETER, H.; GLENN, T.C.; DEWEY, M.J.; Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center, Univ. of South Carolina; Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center, Univ. of South Carolina; Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center, Univ. of South Carolina; Claflin Univ., South Carolina; Claflin Univ., South Carolina; Claflin Univ., South Carolina; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Univ. of Georgia; Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center, Univ. of South Carolina: Development of Peromyscus Genomics

Peromyscines are an ideal genetic model for studying 1) the genes responsible for reproductive isolation and speciation, and 2) the genes enabling the physiological and behavioral adaptation to changing environmental conditions, as well as adaptation to other species, to each other, and to microbial and other parasites. Full exploitation of Peromyscus research potential depends on the ability to define and analyze the genes involved in these processes. Our goal is to develop a linkage map with PCR-based markers of P maniculatus that will allow identification of candidate genes affecting traits of interest. Markers are being developed and mapped at sufficient density, ~5-10 cM, to permit identification of major genomic segments syntenic with the reference species, Mus musculus. Markers consist of Type I (protein coding genes), important for synteny identification, and Type II (microsatellites), which are highly polymorphic and will ultimately be used for QTL analysis. Thus far, about 1500 Type I markers (ESTs) from a placental cDNA library have been characterized and >100 microsatellites are available for the project. The linkage analysis panel was selected for maximizing utilizable polymorphism and is composed of interspecific meiotic segregants of crosses between the sister species P m bairdii and P polionotus. Results have established substantial synteny between Mus chrm 11 and Peromyscus chrm 13. Furthermore, loci have been tentatively identified that reside in the region of chrm 13 inverted between P m bairdii and P polionotus.