Seriation methods provide an accurate and efficient means of constructing preliminary multilocus genetic maps. By using both simulated and previously published empirical data, multipoint mapping by seriation was critically evaluated. Analysis of the simulated data sets showed that the seriation methodology could accurately estimate order and interlocus distances. Application to the empirical data demonstrated that seriation could obtain results directly comparable with those of other multipoint mapping methods. Techniques such as seriation can produce preliminary genetic maps that may be used as starting points for more computer-intensive maximum-likelihood multipoint techniques.