In continuation of my earlier research on mapping the Z-chromosome of the Budgerigar, I would like to make an appeal to Agapornis breeders who want to make more out of their hobby or just breeding for shows.
This could be an opportunity for those interested to participate in a research project in order to map the Z-chromosome in Agapornis roseicollis.

The crossover rate between opaline and cinnamon in Budgerigars is known to be 32.7% (1:3) [1], however, the precise crossover rate between opaline and ino or opaline and pallid, an allele of the SL ino-locus in psittacine species is not known. Opaline pallids and opaline inos have been recognized, so crossing over must have been occurred frequently, however, the question remains, how frequently.
The crossover rate between cinnamon and ino is 3% meaning that ino and cinnamon are situated very close to one another.
Crossover rate between cinnamon-ino and opaline also appears to be about 1:3 due to the close linkage of the two first loci mentioned.
Through this research project we will try to elucidate the position of the ino-locus with respect to the opaline locus.
In order to achieve this we would like to use SL inos or SL pallids in Agapornis roseicollis because opaline inos and opaline pallids can be distinguished from non-opaline inos or non-opaline pallids in this species. Therefore we like to propose the following testmatings:

In the first year opaline cock x normal ino (or pallid) hen or normal ino (or pallid) cock x opaline hen.

In the second year normal/opaline/ino cocks or normal/opaline/pallid cocks (from the first mating) x normal hens.
If you already have accurate breeding records containing the breeding results asked for, please use them to fill in the registers and send them to MUTAVI.

How to participate

Every breeder who is interested in this research project can print a breeding register from the links below and send it at the end of the breeding season to MUTAVI.

In due course we will publish the results and full credit will be given to those who did participate.

Breeding register first testmating

Breeding register second testmating

References:

[1] Taylor T.G. and Warner C.
    Genetics for Budgerigar Breeders.
    London/Illife books Ltd (1961), (1986)
[2] Crossing-over in the Sex Chromosome of the Budgerigar