Aspergillus nidulans linkage map and genome sequence: Closing gaps and adding telomeres

The markers used in constructing the linkage map include auxotrophs, resistance mutants and conidial pigmentation mutants, the last of which are especially valuable for instant recognition of hybrid cleistothecia, and for detection of recombinant sectors in parasexual analysis. Most of these mutants were induced by mutagen treatment, an unwanted side effect of which, discovered later, was the not infrequent induction of chromosome aberrations [5].Interchromosomal translocations are readily detected during haploidization but other aberrations have only been surmised as explanations for anomalous meiotic linkage. Unfortunately, since Aspergillus chromosomes do not lend themselves to detailed cytogenetic analysis [6], these aberrations remain as inferences.