Statistical analysis of ordered tetrads

Abstract

Ordered tetrad data yield information on chromatid interference, chiasma interference, and centromere locations. In this article, we show that the assumption of no chromatid interference imposes certain constraints on multilocus ordered tetrad probabilities. Assuming no chromatid interference, these constraints can be used to order markers under general chiasma processes. We also derive multilocus tetrad probabilities under a class of chiasma interference models, the chi-square models. Finally, we compare centromere map functions under the chi-square models with map functions proposed in the literature. Results in this article can be applied to order genetic markers and map centromeres using multilocus ordered tetrad data.