SPAGHETTI: simulation software to test genetic mapping programs.

SPAGHETTI is a computer program to simulate genetic populations with segregating molecular markers that are influenced by "real-life" complications such as duplicated loci and segregation distortion. It produces output that is readable by popular mapping software, and it can be used to demonstrate or test methods for constructing genetic linkage maps. The source code, sample files, instructions for use, and an executable version compatible with MS Windows are available for free from http://gnomad.agr.ca/software/spaghetti.