Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci from the red‐billed gull ( Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus ) and amplification in related species

We describe the isolation and characterization of seven dinucleotide microsatellite loci developed from the red‐billed gull ( Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus ). Locus‐specific primers were used to genotype individuals from 13 populations of this subspecies as well as individuals from closely related subspecies from Australia and New Caledonia. The primers were tested successfully on other species of gulls and shorebirds. The number of alleles observed within the red‐billed gull ranged from three to 17, and observed heterozygosity varied from 0.359 to 0.787. These microsatellites are likely to be useful for studies of mating systems and population genetics in a wide range of gull species.