Linkage and QTL mapping for Sus scrofa chromosome 2

Sus scrofa chromosome 2 (SSC2) linkage maps were generated from three F-2 families involving Meishan (M), Pietrain (P) and Wild Boar (W) crosses and the same 10 marker loci. SSC2 linkage in maps were similar between families and correspond to published maps. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for carcass traits, daily gain and heart weight were identified on SSC2, especially in the intervals 0-20 and 80-90 cM in the M x P family, the intervals 20-50 and 125-140 cM in the W x P family, and the interval 15-70 cM in the W x M family. QTL presence and position varied among families. QTL effects explained up to 10% of F-2 phenotypic variance. Pietrain QTL alleles were associated with high muscle and heart mass, high daily gain and low fat deposition and Meishan alleles with high carcass fat content. Wild Boar alleles were associated with leaner carcass but lower daily gain than Meishan alleles.