Microsatellite markers for the whelk <i>Buccinum undatum</i>

Abstract

Abstract Five microsatellite loci are described for the commercially exploited marine gastropod, Buccinum undatum . Levels of polymorphism were variable with three to 19 alleles per locus and expected heterozygosities of 0.26–0.94 in 60 individuals of the population from which the loci were isolated. Homozygote excess at two of the loci might be attributable to null alleles, and these loci should not be used in, for example, parentage analysis. Nevertheless, because null allele frequencies can be estimated and their effects partitioned, all are useful markers for studies of population differentiation.