9:40 AM - 9:50 AM
[V-20-05] Morphological traits in an intercross population based on Ko-shamo and Minohikichabo chickens
Genetic analyses of morphological traits contribute to future breeding for production and ornamental purposes in chickens. Although Ko-shamo and Minohikichabo are miniature breeds, they are morphologically different. The aim of this study is to analyze morphological characteristics of Japanese indigenous chickens and to accumulate data in segregating population for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. Body weight, shank length, shank lightness, shank yellowness, shank redness, central tail length, maximum tail length, and tail number were collected from 179 individuals of F2 hybrids of Ko-shamo and Minohikichabo at 0 and 3 wks. Histograms were created to check distribution pattern in segregating population. Normal distributions were seen in all traits at two stages, except for shank redness at 3 wk which showed two peak (bimodal) distribution. Normal distribution implied there are many QTLs with small effects. Trait showing bimodal distribution will be controlled by one major QTL and many modifiers. The data accumulated will be informative for QTL analyses of morphological traits in chickens.