Location of the Pea Comb Gene

Two hybrid males were available, each having an X-ray induced translocation between the largest autosome and a Z chromosome. In one male the translocated genome was Single Comb White Leghorn. The other male had a Dark Cornish genome translocated. The genetic markers for this study were single comb from the Leghorn ancestor and pea comb from the Cornish ancestor. Observations of the chromosome structures and phenotypes of the progeny of these males when mated to similar hybrid females showed non-random distributions of comb types. From the data obtained it was concluded that the pea comb gene resides on the largest autosome in chickens and it probably is distally positioned on the longer arm.