This study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for growth-related traits by constructing a genetic linkage map based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in Japanese quail. A QTL mapping population of 277 F₂ birds was obtained from an intercross between a male of a large-sized strain and three females of a normal-sized strain. Body weight (BW) was measured weekly from hatching to 16 weeks of age. Non-linear regression growth models of Weibull, Logistic, Gompertz, Richards, and Brody were analyzed, and growth curve parameters of Richards was selected as the best model to describe the quail growth curve of the F₂ birds. Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing developed 125 SNP markers that were informative between their parental strains. The SNP markers were distributed on 16 linkage groups that spanned 795.9 centiMorgan (cM) with an average marker interval of 7.3 cM. QTL analysis of phenotypic traits revealed four main-effect QTLs. Detected QTLs were located on chromosomes 1 and 3 and were associated with BW from 4 to 16 weeks of age and asymptotic weight of Richards model at genome-wide significant at 1% or 5% level. No QTL was detected for BW from 0 to 3 weeks of age. This is the first report identified QTLs for asymptotic weight of the Richards parameter in Japanese quail. These results highlight that the combination of QTL studies and the RAD-seq method will aid future breeding programs identify genes underlying the QTL and the application of marker-assisted selection in the poultry industry, particularly the Japanese quail.

本研究旨在通过构建基于日本鹌鹑单核苷酸多态性 (SNP) 标记的遗传连锁图来识别生长相关性状的数量性状位点 (QTL)。277只F ₂鸟的QTL定位群体是从一只大型品系的雄性和3只正常品系的雌性之间的杂交中获得的。从孵化到 16 周龄每周测量体重 (BW)。分析了Weibull、Logistic、Gompertz、Richards和Brody的非线性回归生长模型，选取Richards的生长曲线参数作为描述F ₂鹌鹑生长曲线的最佳模型鸟类。限制性位点相关 DNA 测序开发了 125 个 SNP 标记，这些标记在其亲本菌株之间提供信息。SNP 标记分布在跨越 795.9 厘摩根 (cM) 的 16 个连锁群上，平均标记间隔为 7.3 cM。表型性状的 QTL 分析揭示了四个主效应 QTL。检测到的QTLs位于1号和3号染色体，与4-16周龄的体重和Richards模型的渐近体重相关，在全基因组上有1%或5%的显着性水平。0 至 3 周龄的 BW 未检测到 QTL。这是第一个确定日本鹌鹑Richards 参数渐近权重QTL 的报告。