High degree of sex chromosome differentiation in stickleback fishes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies of closely related species with different sex chromosome systems can provide insights into the processes of sex chromosome differentiation and evolution. To investigate the potential utility of molecular markers in studying sex chromosome differentiation at early stages of their divergence, we examined the levels and patterns of genetic differentiation between sex chromosomes in nine-spined (Pungitius pungitius) and three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) using microsatellite markers.

Results

A set of novel microsatellite markers spanning the entire length of the sex chromosomes were developed for nine-spined sticklebacks using the sequenced genomes of other fish species. Sex-specific patterns of genetic variability and male-specific alleles wer

SUBMITTER: Shikano T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3201943 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature