Abstract: Aspects of the present invention also provide novel compositions and methods based on novel CRH single nucleotide polymorphisms selected from the group consisting of AAFC03076794.1:g.9657C>T, c.10718G>C, c.10841G>A, c.10893A>C and c.10936G>C, which may provide novel markers for marbling and/or subcutaneous fat depth. Additional aspects provide for novel methods which may comprise marker-assisted selection or marker-assisted management to improve marbling and/or subcutaneous fat depth in cattle.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention also provide novel compositions and methods based on novel CRH single nucleotide polymorphisms selected from the group consisting of AAFC03076794.1:g.9657C>T, c.10718G>C, c.10841G>A, c.10893A>C and c.10936G>C, which may provide novel markers for marbling and/or subcutaneous fat depth. Additional aspects provide for novel methods which may comprise marker-assisted selection or marker-assisted management to improve marbling and/or subcutaneous fat depth in cattle.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide an inexpensive QTL mapping approach for genome-wide scans of QTL linked markers and for narrowed locations of QTL regions, which may comprise integration of the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) with DNA pooling and selective genotyping and comparative bioinformatics tools. AFLP simultaneously screens high numbers of loci for polymorphisms and detects many more polymorphic DNA markers than any other PCR based detection systems, and provides for identification of “responsible mutations” for a QTL. Aspects of the present invention also provide novel compositions and methods based on novel DOPEY2 and/or KIAA1462 single nucleotide polymorphisms such as AAFC03071397.1:g.12881G>C, g.12925G>A, g.12951T>C, g.13013A>G, g.13125G>A and g.13173C>T in the DOPEY2 gene and AAFC02113318.1:g.1367G>A and g.1372G>A in the KIAA1462 gene, which may provide novel markers for beef marbling and subcutaneous fat.