Genetic markers for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): single locus inheritance and joint segregation analyses of minisatellite (VNTR) DNA loci

Relatively few genetic markers are available for detailed studies of Atlantic salmon. The detection of 12 distinct minisatellite DNA loci in this species (by 10 Atlantic salmon and brown trout derived probes) and subsequent inheritance analyses in two half‐sib families are reported here. Disomic Mendelian inheritance was confirmed at all loci. Only a single aberrant progeny genotype (at Ssa‐A60) was observed among 138 progeny screened. None of the loci was sex‐linked. The tight linkage association Str‐A22/1 with Str‐A22/2, previously reported for brown trout, was found to be conserved in the Atlantic salmon genome. An additional male‐specific linkage group, Ssa‐A34 with Str‐A9/2, was also noted. These highly polymorphic loci should find widespread use as chromosomal, individual, familial and, probably, population markers.