ABSTRACT
The advantage provided by molecular markers over classical genetic marker systems is the ability to tap and utilize information on naturally occurring polymorphism within populations.
Most natural populations have relatively high levels of polymorphisms due to small changes in DNA sequence such as point mutations, base sub stitutions, insertions, deletions and translocations, most of which are phenotypically neutral. New technologies allow the detection of these poly morphisms and have proven extremely efficient in the discrimination of individuals. Such polymorphisms and the molecular markers associated with them are inherited in Mendelian fashion. They are extremely abun dant and found throughout the genome. In addition, developmental, tissue specific and environmental factors do not influence the detection of these polymorphisms, making them excellent genetic markers.
