Comparative Genetic Mapping between Clementine, Pummelo and Sweet Orange and the Interspecicic Structure of the Clementine Genome

Abstract

The availability of a saturated genetic map of Clementine was identified by the International Citrus Genome Consortium as an essential prerequisite to assist the assembly of the reference whole genome sequence based on a Clementine derived haploid. The primary goals of the present study were to establish a Clementine reference map, and to perform comparative mapping with pummelo and sweet orange. Five parental genetic maps were established with SNPs, SSRs and InDels. A medium density reference map (961 markers for 1084.1 cM) of Clementine was established and used by the ICGC to facilitate the chromosome assembly of the haploid genome sequence. Comparative mapping with pummelo and sweet orange revealed that the linear order of markers was highly conserved. Reasonable inferences of most citrus genomes should be obtained by mapping next-generation sequencing data against the haploid reference genome sequence. Skewed segregations were frequent and higher in the male than female Clementine potentially leading to false interpretation of the genetic determinism of phenotypic traits. The mapping data confirmed that Clementine arose from hybridization between 'Mediterranean' mandarin and sweet orange and identified nine recombination break points for the sweet orange gamete that contributed to the Clementine genome. Introgression of pummelo genome fragments were identified in heterozygosity in each chromosome. Moreover, it appeared that the genome of the haploid Clementine used to establish the citrus reference genome sequence was inherited primarily from the 'Mediterranean' mandarin. The usefulness of this genetic map, anchored in the reference whole genome sequence, is discussed.