Linkage Mapping of the Rat-tail Syndrome

Author

• Aaron R. Singray, South Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2002

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Animal Science

First Advisor

Emilie M.G. Campbell

Abstract

The rat-tail syndrome occasionally occurs when certain Continental iv breeds of cattle are crossed with cattle that have a black hair coat. The condition is characterized by short, curly, malformed, dilute-colored, sometimes sparse hair and a lack of a normal tail switch. Two loci are involved in the inheritance of the rat-tail syndrome. One is the extension locus, which determines red or black coat color, and the other is an unknown locus. For the rat-tail phenotype to be expressed, the animal must have at least one dominant black allele and be heterozygous at the unknown locus. This study utilizes 28 rat-tails, 27 black halfsibs, dams, and 2 Simmental-cross sires to localize the unknown locus that causes the rat-tail syndrome. A genome scan using 103 informative microsatellite markers representing all 29 bovine autosomes localized the gene that causes the rat-tail syndrome to BTAS. Significant linkage disequilibrium was found between the rat-tail locus and both BMS 1617 and BR2936.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Cattle -- Genetics
Gene mapping

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Recommended Citation

Singray, Aaron R., "Linkage Mapping of the Rat-tail Syndrome" (2002). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1996.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/1996