The genes for ocular albinisim type 1 (OA1) and the Xenopus laevis-like apical protein (APXL) map between amelogenin (AMELX) and the pseudoautosomal boundary in the distal region of the human X chromosome short arm. The mouse homologues, Oa1 and Apxl, have recently been shown to lie proximal to their expected locations on the mouse X chromosome, but their positions with respect to critical gene loci in the vicinity have not been defined. By analyzing recombination events from (Mus musculus x Mus spretus) x M. musculus backcrosses, we have constructed a detailed mouse genetic map that encompasses Oa1, five other genes, and 13 microsatellite loci. The order of genes and evolutionary breakpoints (EB) is defined as centromere-(EB)-(DXHXS674, DXHXS679)-Smcx-(EB)-Oa1-(EB)-Phex (3'-->5')-Pdha1-telomere. Thus Oa1 lies in a region between two previously characterized conserved segments.