Multipoint interval mapping of quantitative trait loci, using sib pairs.

The sib-pair interval-mapping procedure of Fulker and Cardon is extended to take account of all available marker information on a chromosome simultaneously. The method provides a computationally fast multipoint analysis of sib-pair data, using a modified Haseman-Elston approach. It gives results very similar to those of the earlier interval-mapping procedure when marker information is relatively uniform and a coarse map is used. However, there is a substantial improvement over the original method when markers differ in information content and/or when a dense map is employed. The method is illustrated by using simulated sib-pair data.