Data from: Mass production of SNP markers in a nonmodel passerine bird through RAD sequencing and contig mapping to the zebra finch genome

Here, we present an adaptation of restriction-site-associated DNA
sequencing (RAD-seq) to the Illumina HiSeq2000 technology that we used to
produce SNP markers in very large quantities at low cost per unit in the
Réunion grey white-eye (Zosterops borbonicus), a nonmodel passerine bird
species with no reference genome. We sequenced a set of six pools of 18–25
individuals using a single sequencing lane. This allowed us to build
around 600 000 contigs, among which at least 386 000 could be mapped to
the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) genome. This yielded more than 80
000 SNPs that could be mapped unambiguously and are evenly distributed
across the genome. Thus, our approach provides a good illustration of the
high potential of paired-end RAD sequencing of pooled DNA samples combined
with comparative assembly to the zebra finch genome to build large contigs
and characterize vast numbers of informative SNPs in nonmodel passerine
bird species in a very efficient and cost-effective way.