Isolation and characterization of novel waterfowl microsatellite loci: Cross-species comparisons and research applications

Waterfowl constitute an ecologically diverse group which are the subject of extensive research (e.g. see reviews in Batt et al. 1992), and are intensively managed (Nichols et al.1995). Genetic studies utilizing allozyme electrophoresis and mitochondrial (mt)DNA have provided valuable information on waterfowl ecology and evolutionary history (Cooke & Buckley 1987). However, highly variable molecular genetic markers (e.g. multilocus minisatellites; Triggs et al. 1992) have not generally been identified for this group.